Green mochi making becomes a quiet moment of teamwork in this evening courtyard. One cook folds the sticky green dough inside a deep wooden mortar while the other holds a long wooden mallet upright and clear of her hands. Their burgundy and navy aprons contrast with a checked shirt, pale headscarf and white kitchen jacket.

Moisture shines on the rim of the mortar and the wet paving beneath their boots. A metal water bowl and a stack of bamboo steamers sit close by, while warm windows and leafy branches soften the background. The photograph captures the pause between actions, with attention on the dough, the tools and the cooks' shared concentration.