Iwakuni, Japan. (January 2, 2025): In the hopes of bringing good fortune, U.S. forces joined Japanese troops in a cultural practice that dates back centuries. In this photo by Lance Corporal David Getz, Marine Corps Colonel Richard Rusnok, center, and Japanese Rear Admiral Ichiro Ishikawa, right, hammer rice during a traditional Mochitsuki mochi pounding, an ancient New Year’s tradition.

Mochitsuki , or mochi, is steamed rice that is mashed and pounded with wooden mallets in a traditional mortar. The word mochi means “to have” and the dish is considered an auspicious food that brings good health, long life, and good fortune. The work involves two people, one pounding and the other turning and wetting the mochi. Teamwork is key as they must keep a steady rhythm or they may accidentally injure each other with these heavy mallets.

This physically demanding ritual is a local community and family celebration that symbolizes collectivism, unity, and the common good. These events are typically part of a larger festival, called a matsuri, that includes elaborate games and theatrical and musical performances.

Rear Admiral Ishikawa invited the Americans to participate in this time-honored family event, a significant gesture in Japanese culture. Ishikawa is commander of Fleet Air Wing 31, the naval aviation branch of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Colonel Rusnok is commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.