Tuesday, June 29, 1999 The story of the Waganupa begins the day before. At my brother’s house we prepared food for the ride. For events like the Waganupa or the Death Ride we make special rice balls, which are sometimes affectionately referred to as Elephant Testicles. To equal parts of pressure cooked brown rice and sweet rice are added roasted sesame seeds and bonito flakes. This concoction is thoroughly mixed.
Rice balls are then formed by hand. In the center of each goes onions, scallions, pickled ginger, ume paste and a dab of wasabi. The rice balls are wrapped in nori.
With the rice balls made and the car packed, we hit the road.