🌏 Region(s): Ryukyu (Okinawa)
むーちー・むうちい【餅・餠・糯】 : muuchii | define meaning
muuchii
Definition
Noun
- Muuchii: A rice cake typically made of glutinous (sticky) rice, which is then pounded into a paste and molded into shape. They are traditionally wrapped and preserved in local leaves such as those of bamboo or shell ginger (alpinia zerumbet) plants, and then steamed until the leaves change colour. In terms of preparation and style, muuchii are more similar to Japanese chimaki ちまき【粽】 or Chinese zongzi 【粽子】 than they are to Japanese mochi もち【餅・餠・糯】.
Etymology
Cognate to the standard Japanese term もち【餅・餠・糯】 mochi.
Notes
むうちい【餅・餠・糯】 muuchii, also spelt "muchi" or "muuchi" in English, are traditionally prepared by Okinawan women at the first signs of winter to drive away evil spirits and pray for the health of their families. According to local custom, bundles of muuchii may be hung if a child is living within the household. If an infant was born into the family that year, the first batch of muuchii is to be offered up to close relatives and friends.
Spelling
| Orthography | Form |
|---|---|
| Kanji | 餅 餠 糯 |
| Kana | むーちー むうちい |
| Romanization | muuchii |
意味：ムーチー、もち【餅・餠・糯】、ちまき【粽】
Categories:
餅
Cite this entry: Read, Zachary. (2013, August 28). むーちー・むうちい【餅・餠・糯】 : muuchii | define meaning. JLect: Japonic Languages and Dialects Database. Retrieved 2025, March 14, from https://www.jlect.com/entry/61/muuchii/.