Japan's Star
Maple leaves are a prominent feature of Japanese culture. “Momiji” leaves (referring to the red-tinged maple leaves that symbolize autumn in Japan) are often found in decorative motifs—on kimonos, porcelain, jewelry, calligraphy, and more—as well as in cuisine. Momiji manju is a small pastry shaped like a palmate maple leaf that is made only in the fall. It is a specialty of Miyajima Island, south of Hiroshima.
Did you know ?
The colors of its leaves in the fall (“kōyō,” which means “red leaves”) are celebrated every year during a major flower festival called momiji.
