Details
Tokugawa Ieyasu, a leading general representing Japan, placed Shiose kabuto manju (helmet-shaped sweet buns) atop his helmet in battle and offered them to the Black Honzon, praying for victory (from the San’en Sanshi). These kabuto manju have been passed down as a secret confection that only Lord Ieyasu could enjoy.
Wrapped in an extremely thin dough, they are a secret sweet made only by the most skilled Shiose craftsmen. To achieve the perfect texture and sweetness, finely sieved Shiose red bean paste is combined with Dainagon azuki beans preserved in syrup. The Dainagon beans are carefully soaked over three days in three stages of water, resulting in a special texture with well-defined beans yet subtle sweetness, even though the base is smooth bean paste. These labor-intensive kabuto manju were made for Lord Ieyasu and remain a treasured secret sweet. Please enjoy a taste of history.
