Kiri-kasane

Bite-sized sweet bun with a rich yuzu aroma

“Kiri-kasane” made by Kyo Gomon Confectionery in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture, is a mini manju, a small sweet bun with yuzu (citrus junos)  flavored white bean paste wrapped in a thin and moist skin.

The meaning of the name “Kiri-kasane” comes from an old local custom.  When a baby girl was born, they used to plant a paulownia tree, and the fast-growing tree grows into a magnificent tree about 15 years, and when the girl is about to become a bride, the tree was cut down and used to make a chest of drawers for bridal accessories.

There is a hollow in the middle where the yuzu bean paste can be seen.

The thin manju skin wraps the moist red bean paste and it is hand-made one by one.  It should be required high skill to make such delicate confection.

It is delicate and light sweet with a thin manju skin and white bean paste spreads the fragrance of yuzu (Japanese citron). It was an elegant Japanese confectionery with a sense of tradition.