The sun is setting earlier and earlier day by day, and we are beginning to feel the autumn in the wind. Have you ever heard of the Kannamesai, the celebration and thanksgiving for a plentiful harvest by offering the year’s first harvest to Amaterasu? This is considered the most important of the 1,500 annual festivals held at Ise Jingu. It is also known as the “New Year of the Shrine” because the ritual utensils are renewed at the Ise Jingu Shrine for the Kanamesai. It may be one of the precious events for the Japanese as rice has been our main diet for many years. In the harvest season of autumn, we will take time to savor this year’s new rice and harvest delicacies with deep respect and gratitude for nature, which the Japanese people have cherished, and that alone will enrich our hearts and minds. Our pair of seasonal canelés for this month, “Sweet potato” and “Fig” are available from today, September 1st. The sweet potato canelés are candied sweet potatoes wrapped in sweet potato dough and topped with the same filling and sesame sprinkled on top. The sweetness fills your mouth with a soft, luscious flavor. Fig canelés are filled with dried fig compote in red wine and cinnamon-flavored dough. The popping texture of fig and refined afternote of red wine would be delightful.

少しずつ日暮れの時間が早くなり、秋の気配を感じるようになりました。五穀豊穣に感謝して、その年にとれた初穂を最初に天照大御神にささげる祭、神嘗祭(かんなめさい)をご存知ですか？年間1500回にも及ぶ伊勢神宮恒例のお祭りの中でも、最も重要なお祭りです。神嘗祭のとき、伊勢神宮では祭器具が一新されることから「神宮の正月」ともいわれています。お米をいただく日本人ならば知っておきたい行事です。実りの秋の季節、日本人が大切にしてきた自然に対する深い敬意と感謝の気持ちで、今年の新米や秋の味覚をじっくり味わう、それだけで心豊かになりそうです。9月の季節のカヌレは「さつまいも」と「いちじく」が、本日9月1日(日)よりお目見えです。「さつまいも」はさつまいもの甘露煮をさつまいもの生地で包み、上にものせ、最後にごまを散らしました。さつまいものやさしい甘さがお口いっぱいに広がります。「いちじく」は赤ワインとシナモンの生地の中に、イチジクのコンポートを入れ、上にものせました。イチジクのプチプチ食感と赤ワインの大人な余韻をお楽しみください。