Katori senkou are mosquito repellent coils and are still commonly used in the hot and humid summer of Japan. Like many other products, the holders for these coils are extremely cute and add a nice touch to the elegance of Japanese interiors.
A ubiquitous design is that of a pig, usually ceramic, with a coil in its mouth, called kayari buta. You can place the coil from the back and keep it in a room or even outdoors without having ash fall on the floor.
The Wagashi Inspiration
Inspired by this, Beniya Miyake, a company with a long history in Tochigi prefecture, decided to create wagashi (Japanese traditional sweets) inspired by the piggy coil holder that encapsulates the essence of summer. Nerikiri Wagashi are made using sticky white flour, sugar, and white bean paste shaped into various forms.
Making it slightly cuter than the ceramic version, many patrons have mentioned that this nerikiri wagashi is too cute to eat!
(Image source: https://twitter.com/beniyamiyake)
A Taste of Japanese Summer
This sweet is a perfect example of Japanese design, where even an item of necessity like a mosquito coil holder can inspire delicate, edible art. It makes for a perfect, seasonal treat during the hot summer months.
