鏡開きは、お正月に神棚へお供えした鏡餅を開き、一年の無病息災を願う日本の伝統行事です。この鏡餅をいただく際、刃物を使わず、木槌や手で餅を割ったり、欠き取ったりするのが一般的です。
実は、この“餅を欠き取る”という行為を「欠き餅（かきもち）」と呼び、これが「おかき」の語源になったとも言われています。
Is the Name “Okaki” Derived from Kagami Biraki?
Kagami biraki is a Japanese New Year’s tradition in which people break open the decorative rice cakes (kagami mochi) that were offered to the gods, marking the end of the holiday season. Eating these rice cakes is believed to bring good health and fortune for the year ahead.
Traditionally, the rice cakes are not cut with knives, but are instead broken apart using wooden mallets or by hand.
Interestingly, the act of breaking off pieces of mochi—called kaki mochi—is said to be the origin of the name “okaki.”
