"I Asked Gemini" Series About *Rakugan* (Japanese Dry Sweets) Offered at the Buddhist Altar

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Recently, while looking at my family's *Butsudan* (Buddhist altar), a question popped into my head.

The colorful dry sweets that are almost always offered during Obon (ancestor festival) or Higan (equinox): **Rakugan**.

"I used to eat them when I was little, but honestly, aren't they just a lump of sugar? Why is this always the offering?"

When I don't feel like writing, the best thing is to ask someone! So, I turned to the reliable AI, **Gemini**, to ask everything about *Rakugan*.

As a result, I learned how superficial my perception of it as a "lump of sugar" was...

Q1. What Exactly is Rakugan? What's its Origin?

I started by asking about the historical background of Rakugan.

Gemini's Answer (Summary):

The origin of *Rakugan* is believed to be **"Nanrakukan"** (軟落甘), a Chinese sweet introduced to Japan during the Muromachi period.

It spread as a dry sweet for the **Tea Ceremony**. The name *Rakugan* is also said to be inspired by the scenic view **"Katata no Rakugan"** (Wild Geese Descending at Katata), one of the Eight Views of Ōmi.

💡 Takeaway:
*Rakugan* was an international sweet that came from China! And its name included a poetic Japanese image of "wild geese descending from the sky," which is quite elegant.

Q2. Why is Rakugan the Go-To Sweet for Buddhist Altars?

This was the biggest mystery.

Gemini's Answer (Summary):

  1. Long Shelf Life: As a dry sweet with low moisture, it's suitable for altars where frequent changing is difficult.
  2. Valuable Ingredient: Before the Edo period, sugar was extremely rare and expensive. Offering *Rakugan*, which uses this valuable sugar, was a way to "offer the best thing" to the Buddha.
  3. Buddhist Legend: It's linked to the story of **"Hyakumi no Onjiki"** (offering various foods) where the Buddha's disciple, Mokuren, offered food to monks to save his mother. Sweet items, made with precious sugar, were greatly appreciated, leading to the custom of offering *Rakugan*.
  4. Symbol of Purity: The white color of *Rakugan* is sometimes associated with the white robes of Buddhist rituals, symbolizing a "pure soul."

💡 Takeaway:
It wasn't just because it was "hard"! It combined practicality (long shelf life) with the sincere heart of "offering precious sugar to the Buddha," rooted in Buddhist stories.

Q3. I Think of It as a "Lump of Sugar"... Are There Any Delicious Rakugan?

I confessed my honest feelings.

Gemini's Answer (Summary):

While many people find ordinary *Rakugan* too sweet and powdery, high-quality *Rakugan* made with carefully selected ingredients and methods are completely different.

Especially those made with **Wasanbon Sugar** (a premium Japanese sugar from specific regions of Shikoku) are exceptional.

FeatureHigh-Quality Rakugan
TextureCrumbles and melts instantly like snow in the mouth.
Sweetness**Elegant** and **mellow**, with a clean finish.

Famous examples include **Chōseiden** (Ishikawa) and **Koshinoyuki** (Niigata), which are counted among the Three Great Japanese Confectioneries.

💡 Takeaway:
The *Rakugan* I knew was just the "practical offering." High-end sweets using **Wasanbon Sugar** are apparently on a different level! I definitely want to try one.

🎁 Bonus: Delicious Ways to Use Hardened Rakugan!

Here are some ways to enjoy leftover *Rakugan* without wasting them:

  • Dissolve in Drinks: Grate it into a powder and use it as a **substitute for sugar** in coffee, black tea, or hot milk. The rice flour content can add a subtle, *kuzuyu*-like (arrowroot starch drink) thickness.
  • Baking Ingredient: Use the powder in place of sugar when making cookies or cakes for a moist texture.
  • Microwave Warm-Up: Lightly warm it in the microwave (a few seconds) to remove the powdery texture and make it softer.

Conclusion

My view has changed from "Rakugan = lump of sugar" to "Rakugan = a profound, top-tier dry sweet with history and culture."

The next time I see *Rakugan* offered at the altar, I will reflect on the profound "heart of hospitality" and "gratitude" contained within its small form.

And I've promised myself to order a **100% Wasanbon Rakugan** someday to enjoy with a strong bowl of *Matcha* (green tea).

(This article was created based on dialogue with Gemini.)

日本語版note： 🍵「Geminiに聞いてみた」シリーズ お仏壇の前に備えるお菓子「落雁」について

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