Airi cleaning leaves. In May, 1999, Mano-sensei taught the children how to make "kashiwa-mochi," a traditional Japanese sweet popular in the springtime, and customarily eaten for Children's Day on May 5. Kashiwa-mochi is made from "mochi," a sticky, chewy rice cake; "yomogi," a kind of mugwort; and "anko," a sweet, red bean paste. The mochi and yomogi are mixed together to form a green, rice dough which is then filled with the anko and steamed. The kashiwa-mochi is finally served wrapped in "kashiwa," a type of oak leaf for presentation. At left, Airi cleans kashiwa. May, 1999.