Glutinous rice was valuable in the past, and okowa made by steaming glutinous rice was such a special food for celebration banquets only eaten in noticeably cheerful and formal situations such as auspicious events, festivals, and the New Year's holidays.
昔はもち米は貴重品であり、もち米を蒸したおこわは慶事や祭り、正月など晴れの日しか口にすることができない祝いの席のご馳走であった。