02/06/2026
For this year’s Eid al-Adha , I wanted to honor Bahrain’s beautiful cultural heritage through the delicate Japanese art of wagashi. 🪴 🐑 🍵✨
Inspired by the Bahraini tradition of “Haya Beya,” I created a basket shaped nerikiri flavored with hōjicha and matcha 🍵, blending the warm roasted aroma of tea with the fresh green notes of Japanese tea culture.
The woven basket design reflects a beloved Bahraini tradition connected to celebration, generosity, and memories passed through generations dating back to the Dilmun civilization. ✨
I also created the seasonal sheep shaped wagashi, 🕋 🐑 for Eid al-Adha, flavored with fragrant cardamom, a spice deeply rooted in Bahraini cuisine and often associated with gatherings, and celebratory meals during Eid. The sheep symbolizes sacrifice, gratitude, and sharing values at the heart of the celebration.
To connect the sweets to the Japanese summer season, I added a bamboo leaf inspired by the lush greenery found throughout Japan during this time of year. 🍃
Through wagashi, Bahrain and Japan meet through craftsmanship, seasonality, and hospitality 🇧🇭 🇯🇵
As a tea master and the Goodwill Ambassador for Japanese Cuisine, I hope to continue creating bridges between Bahrain and Japan through tea, wagashi, and cultural exchange. 🇧🇭🇯🇵✨