dry Japanese confectionery; dry Japanese sweets
Refers to traditional Japanese sweets that are dried and have a firm texture, often served with tea. Contrasts with 生菓子 (fresh/soft confectionery).
In tea ceremony, dry Japanese sweets are often served.
These dry sweets are made with wasanbon sugar.
生菓子 are fresh, soft Japanese confectionery, often with a moist texture, while 干菓子 are dried and firm.
和菓子 is the broad category of Japanese-style sweets, which includes both 干菓子 and 生菓子.
Standard kanji spelling for dry Japanese confectionery.
Rarely used kanji form; 干菓子 is preferred.
The reading developed from 干し菓子 “dried confectionery,” with contraction and voicing producing ひがし.