Explore the History of Japanese Confections
The Minato City Local History Museum will host a special exhibition, “Kurashi no Naka no Okashi” (Sweets in Everyday Life), on the evolution of snacks and confectioneries in Japan over the years. With diverse shapes, flavors, textures and packaging design, Japanese sweets come in such a wide variety and have been influenced by multiple cultures and culinary techniques.
“Western cuisine scroll” from the late Edo era, which will be featured in the exhibition
In the past, confectioneries were reserved as offerings to deities and for the enjoyment of the upper classes, including emperors, aristocrats and samurai. Over time, confections were significantly influenced by Chinese and Western sweets, and become a daily staple for the common people. With the arrival of mechanization, mass production became possible and allowed even more people to enjoy beloved sweets.
This exhibition showcases confectioneries made for ceremonies and seasonal events through ukiyo-e artwork, Edo era shopping guidebooks and Meiji era advertisements.
Elementary, junior high and high school students who live or study in Minato Ward can enter the exhibit for free. Minato residents who are 65 or older, and people with disabilities, can also enter for free.
