Until around the Meiji period, pure white steamed glutinous rice was called "okowa" and was distinguished from "sekihan," which contains red adzuki beans or other ingredients, though today "sekihan" is included in the category of okowa.
明治ごろまではもち米を蒸しただけのものをおこわといい小豆などを混ぜたものと区別していたが、現在は赤飯もおこわというようになった。