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View Full Version : Mochi death toll for post New Year season of 2008


TheNoNamedOne
01-05-2008, 10:00 PM
Well, the first week of the new year is almost over and we are at 3 elderly people dead from choking on mochi. Like clockwork, happens every year. Usually in December I make a prediction on the numbers but forgot to this year.

Maybe when December comes around this year we can all place bets on the total number of deaths and winner(s) takes all.

Since I have been in Japan I think I have seen numbers reach the teens, but recently the mochi deaths have been much lower.

Do you think they will reach 10 by the end of the 2nd week? Maybe we shouldn't let old people eat anymore mochi. Perhaps depriving them of this aspect of their culture would be best for them. Kinda like not wanting to let elderly people drive for their own safety (and ours, too).

Mochi kills 2 in Tokyo during New Year's (http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/20080103TDY02310.htm)
The Yomiuri Shimbun (Jan 3rd)

Two men died after choking on traditional mochi rice cake in Tokyo on Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting authorities to issue a warning for elderly people who eat the sticky New Year's treat.

The Tokyo Fire Department said Wednesday that 13 people had been taken to hospital after choking on rice cake during the two days.

and ...

76-yr-old man fatally chokes on 'mochi' at Saitama JR station+ (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8TUFJH00&show_article=1&catnum=0&state=-1%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C1%7C0%7C0)

SAITAMA, Japan, Jan. 4 (AP) - (Kyodo)—A 76-year-old man choked to death at a railway station in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, on Thursday afternoon, after choking on a "mochi" rice cake, police said.
Tomosaku Ohira, from Saitama City, abruptly fell at JR Kawagoe Station around 2:10 p.m. and was rushed to a nearby hospital after paramedics found the mochi stuck in his throat.

Terrible way to die. A kiwi almost choked me to death once. I wrote about the terrible experience here (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374&highlight=killed).

okisteve
01-05-2008, 10:31 PM
I can handle mochi fine when the cakes are toasted, but when it is served in soup it looks deceptively like a soft, fluffy cloud but it is actually like eating a handball.

OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand
01-05-2008, 11:02 PM
AFAIK the death toll is at six, with eight hospitalized.

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/news/424219

These, plus the one in Saitama TP linked to.

TheNoNamedOne
01-05-2008, 11:09 PM
I must've missed a few. Thanks for the update.

Looks like we are on our way to a good 10 at least. I imagine by Monday, after the weekend get-togethers, mochi parties, and leftovers, a few more will be added.

Keep tuned to this thread for the yearly Mochi Killing of Old People 'round Japan report.

If you come across more yourself, be sure to take the initiative and add an update.

Jrocka83
01-05-2008, 11:16 PM
Who.. Dude, I have eaten Mochi before. Tha sh** is stringy.. I can't imagine choking on it. that must suck....

DoctorP
01-06-2008, 12:19 AM
We didn't do the mochi thing this year...I can see how older people and kids could choke on the stuff though. I have no problem with traditions, but perhaps they shouldn't feel a need to eat the stuff!

kombu_kid
01-06-2008, 12:23 AM
I love mochi, but sometimes when I'm really hungry and I just start wolfin' it down......it can get a little scary. And we're really paranoid about giving it to the kids......sometimes my wife will slice it up into small pieces for them. Maybe that's what the old folks should do.

TheNoNamedOne
01-06-2008, 12:23 AM
I've gone to a mochi making party a few times which were fun. I never did care for the mochi, though.

P_chan
01-06-2008, 06:28 AM
mochi isn't that bad, depends what's on it. I can usually handle the fruit flavored mochi, but I'll pass once it comes to the mochi with the powder on it.

One of my favorite snacks is mochi covered ice cream:D

OkiKat
01-07-2008, 06:13 AM
I love the grilled mochi on a stick - yakitori mochi? It has a brown sauce on it - yummy!