Journal
Ishi-Ishi —
Handcrafted Crispness
from Osaka
On Dec 03, 2025
Introduction
Awashin — The Timeless Craft of Osaka’s Awaokoshi
Founded in Osaka’s Dōtonbori and carried through generations. It stands today as both guardian and innovator of Osaka’s confectionery culture, balancing heritage and modern sensibility in every bite.
Tradition Meets Renewal
Awashin’s roots trace back to Edo-period Osaka, the bustling heart of Japan’s trade where rice and sugar converged. At Awashin, the craft lies not in embellishment but in restraint—using only natural ingredients and perfecting the texture that gives each piece its delicate crisp and golden aroma.
In Osaka, a city once known as the nation’s kitchen, artisans have shaped Awaokoshi — a humble puffed-rice sweet — by hand for centuries. Ishi-Ishi is a refined interpretation of this tradition, made entirely by hand by the craftsmen of Awashin. From the first grain of rice to the last dusting of powder, Ishi-Ishi is made through human senses—touch, sound, intuition, and experience.
1.Steaming the Rice
The rice is steamed until it reaches just the right softness. Artisans check the state not by timers alone, but by touching the grains and sensing the elasticity.
2. Drying
By rolling the rice in their palm, artisans judge dryness from the faint friction sound — a subtle cue that no machine can detect. This is something no machine can hear.
3. Roasting
The moment rice pops into its fragrant puff is fleeting. Experienced artisans evaluate the aroma, the sound of crackling, and the expansion of the grains to determine the exact time to stop roasting.
4. The Moment the Aroma Blooms
In the sugar-and-syrup stage, artisans watch the mixture with practiced intuition, capturing the fleeting moment when it reaches the perfect consistency.
The Aesthetics of Continuity
Awashin embraces innovation, exploring flavors like matcha, hojicha, and black tea, carrying the art of okoshi into the modern era.
Legacy Beyond Time
In each crisp, fragrant bite lies the spirit of continuity — a reminder that beauty lives not in novelty, but in preservation. Awashin will continue to share the warmth of Osaka’s craft, carrying its sweetness across generations and beyond borders.
