Japanese yam (Dioscorea japonica)(Jouyomanju)
A Japanese confectionery made of grated yam, such as tsukuneimo, and grated yam, wrapped in yam yam grated dough kneaded with rice flour and sugar, and steamed. It is characterized by its moist texture and faint aroma of sweet potato. It has long been used as a wedding gift and for celebratory occasions. In the days when sugar and azuki beans were expensive, it was only eaten by people of high rank, and so it was also called “kami niyo manju (for use at the top). Originally, however, only buns made of grated yam dough were called “jyo-you-manju,” but nowadays it refers to all steamed buns filled with bean paste.
