Creative Three Kingdoms Wagashi
© 2009 Toukaya Sweets Creative by Emily Wu
Using Japanese confectionery craftsmanship that has been passed down for thousands of years,
to showcase the Romance of the Three Kingdoms , also passed down for thousands of years,
Leisurely yearning for heroes in troubled times,
The clarity between good and evil, love and hate intertwined,
Immortal legends and fascinating myths through the ages,
A fight between heaven and man during the creative process,
Inspiration appearing at the brink of exhaustion
It was as if I had gone through a battle.
"Creative Three Kingdoms Wagashi"
This work was commissioned for National Palace Museum 's series of
lectures based on the theme of the Three Kingdoms.
It's an honor to be invited,
唐 Tang Dynasty confectionery being brought back by 和 Ho Japanese diplomatic envoys
preserved in Japan for a thousand years,
which in 20th century Emily brought back to her home 家 Jia !
Home is, wherever and everywhere,
Wagashi no longer belongs to a single ethnic group;
That’s for sure!
There is a sense of mission accomplishment, which is exciting!
Emily Wu, 2009.7.24
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1. What is the idea behind Cao Cao’s “Emperor Wu” (Martial Emperor) wagashi?
Answer: Using a white-skinned, black-inside exposed Oni-Manju (ghost steamed bun) to express the traitor of a generation who presented as obviously bad-ass. Because Cao Cao once assassinated Dong Zhuo for the Han Dynasty, on the warrior's helmut I added a red dot to show his somewhat red-blooded sincere loyalty.
2. What is the idea behind Erqiao's "Billowing Brocade" wagashi?
Answer: The beauty of Jiangdong's Qiao sisters has always been spoken of, and they were both the daughters-in-law of Sun Wu. The deep love between the sisters is evident, so I imagined them dancing gracefully, presenting an image of overlapping dancing sleeves.
3. What is the idea behind Kong Ming’s “Feather Fan” and "Sun and Moon" wagashi?
Answer: No matter where he went, Kong Ming would never be without his fan in his hand. If he forgot to bring it one day, perhaps he might lose his confidence! Kong Ming, who is proficient in Qi Men Dun Jia (Mysterious Door Escape Techniques), certainly understands the changes in Yin Yang and the Five Elements. Therefore, he is portrayed using a brown sugar manju (steamed bun) decorated with a Tai Chi pattern.
4. What is the idea behind Sun Quan’s "Wind and Cloud" wagashi?
Answer: His green eyes and purple beard are full of the characteristics of an ethnic minority. Under the imposing kingly appearance is his broad-mindedness and flexibility, so I used eye-shaped green yokan wrapped in a purple coat with a gap to represent him.
5. What is the idea behind Guan Yu’s “Crescent Moon” wagashi?
Answer: His face was as red as jujubes, so I used a bright red manju (steamed bun) and added the Qinglong Yanyue Guan Dao (Green Dragon Crescent Blade), the most obvious image of him. This was the first creation in this set of Three Kingdoms Wagashi.
6. What is the idea behind Zhang Fei's "Thunder" wagashi?
Answer: The sloppy beard and fashionable headscarf present a striking personality. You can tell at a glance that it is Zhang Fei the Loudspeaker.
7. What is the idea behind Zhen Mi’s “Luo River Goddess” wagashi?
Answer: As described in Rhapsody of the Luo River Goddess , she is as beautiful as a fairy with skin as white as snow. Using joyo manju (Japanese yam steamed buns) with a baby-soft touch, and a fillling incorporating Taiwan's unique Roselle jam , its natural purple appearance and sweet and sour taste is a reflection of Zhen Mi’s emotional life experience: Yuan Xi's ex-wife, Cao Cao's daughter-in-law, Cao Pi's beloved wife, Cao Zhi's favorite.
8. Where is Liu Bei’s wagashi?
Answer: I struggled to find inspiration for Liu Bei, who had neither special characteristics nor personality. Looking forward to Liu Bei communicating with me in a dream, or inspiration from netizens!! @@