Higashi is the general term for dry sweets. The range is wide — rakugan, aruheito, senbei, konpeito, wasanbon sugar — and they are used chiefly at thin-tea sittings and at large gatherings. They keep well, and combinations of colour and form express the season lightly. A single small piece carrying a season is the essence of the category.
History
As sugar and candy techniques developed, keepable sweets such as rakugan and aruheito appeared and established themselves at gatherings. Rakugan made with wasanbon sugar is known for how it dissolves in the mouth. Aruheito and konpeito derive from techniques brought by Portuguese and Spanish traders, so the category absorbed foreign confectionery as well.
In practice
Served before thin tea, usually two contrasting kinds arranged together on a flat tray, so the tray reads as a small composition. Guests take them by hand — no pick is needed.
Sources
- 干菓子（デジタル大辞泉 / 日本大百科全書） / コトバンク
Supports: 干菓子が生菓子に対して水分の少ない乾いた菓子であること。落雁・金平糖・煎餅などが代表であること
About this article
Edited by the operator of Chaen (a one-person operation) / Last updated:
Tea ceremony descriptions can vary by school and source. Where interpretations differ, this glossary avoids definitive claims and focuses on broadly shared understandings. If you notice an error, please let us know viaContact. To learn about our organization, seeAbout Chaen.
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Related terms
- Chado (The Way of Tea)chado
The Japanese practice of preparing and serving powdered green tea, treated as a lifelong discipline rather than a beverage ritual.
- Wabiwabi
Finding sufficiency of mind within insufficiency and plainness; one of the root concepts of tea practice.
- Ichigo ichie (one time, one meeting)ichigo ichie
The principle that every gathering is unrepeatable, and should therefore be treated as if it will never occur again.
- Okashi (sweets)okashi
The sweets served with tea, divided into moist omogashi and dry higashi, and eaten before the tea arrives.
- Omogashi (moist sweets)omogashi
Fresh, moist sweets served before thick tea; the element that speaks most directly of the season.