餅をつくるための「臼」を作る作業が忙しい

Busy in making the mortar for making mochi.

Busy in making the mortar for making mochi.

New Year’s is in about 2 weeks

New Year’s is in about 2 weeks
日本では正月に、米でつくる餅をよく食べます

In Japan on New year’s, a mochi made from rice is often eaten.

In Japan on New year’s, a mochi made from rice is often eaten.
長野県安曇野市で、餅をつくるための「臼」という道具を作っています

In Naganoken Adzuminoshi, a tool called mortar to make mochi is in making.

In Naganoken Adzuminoshi, a tool called mortar to make mochi is in making.
今が、1年でいちばん忙しいときです

Now, this is the busiest time of the year.

Now, this is the busiest time of the year.
臼は、100年から150年生きて大きくなったケヤキという木でつくります

The mortar is made from a Zelkova tree that has grown from 100 to 150 years.

The mortar is made from a Zelkova tree that has grown from 100 to 150 years.
太さが50cmぐらいの木を切って、中を掘ります

Cut a tree about 50cm thick and dig inside.

Cut a tree about 50cm thick and dig inside.
そして、入れ物のような形にします

Then, make it into a container-like shape.

Then, make it into a container-like shape.
値段は10万円から15万円です

The price is from 100,000 yen to 150,000 yen.

The price is from 100,000 yen to 150,000 yen.
臼を作っている人は「100年以上使うことができます

The people who make the mortars say, ”They can be used for over 100 years.

The people who make the mortars say, ”They can be used for over 100 years.
家族のように大切にしてください」と話しています

Please treat them like family.”

Please treat them like family.”