Unveiling the Artistic Velvet Cream Cake from NOT WAGASHI: A Culinary Masterpiece

NOT WAGASHI's Velvet Cream Cake: A New Culinary Art

On December 20, 2025, National Department Co., Ltd., headquartered in Okayama, will unveil the Velvet Cream Cake, or 宝匣菓 (Hokōka), from their innovative brand NOT WAGASHI. Available for pre-order from today on their e-commerce site, this cake represents the latest exploration of artistic confections beyond traditional wagashi.

Not just a cake, but rather a reflection of culinary artistry, Hokōka is designed to embody the aesthetics of light encapsulated within a box. This stunning creation is composed of a unique blend that includes nerikiri, gyuhi, yokan, and rich whipped cream, resulting in a harmonious balance that challenges conventional boundaries.

An Artistic Inspiration

The term 宝匣 (Hokō) signifies a majestic box where treasures are kept. The Velvet Cream Cake is a conceptual dessert imagined after the treasures housed in the revered Shōsōin, a historic repository from Japan's Nara period. The goal is to create a dessert that feels like a piece of art, blending intricate design with delicious taste.

Structural Elegance

The cake features a beautifully crafted shell made from nerikiri, which is cleverly integrated with the elasticity of gyuhi and the outline provided by yokan. The texture is defined as a dual experience; it is chewy upon first contact and then melts away smoothly, creating a delightful paradox in each bite.

The outer layer mimics the look of white ivory or fine porcelain, while the core centers around the decadent richness of high-concentration whipped cream. This challenging traditional wagashi assumptions creates an entirely new dessert experience: NOT WAGASHI.

An Interactive Culinary Experience

This innovative layering of traditional Japanese ingredients results in a multi-dimensional experience that evokes a paradoxical texture. The smooth nerikiri first glides across the tongue, followed by the refreshing chill of the whipped cream, and ultimately, the blend of gyuhi and yokan presents a captivating contrast of textures dubbed ‘chewy meets smooth.’ This groundbreaking dessert elevates confections into the realm of touchable art.

Product Line-Up

Two variations of the Velvet Cream Cake will be available:

1. White Ivory Rhombus with Crystals (白象牙菱格子水晶嵌宝匣菓)
- This version offers a high-density ivories texture while forbidding light, embodying a serene beauty through a meticulous rhombus pattern and transparent crystal inlays, emphasizing its role as a true artisan piece.

2. Porcelain Rose Pattern with Inlays (白磁薔薇文様象嵌宝匣菓)
- Crafted to reflect the smooth texture of porcelain, this variant features a rose design that elegantly emerges through inlay techniques, creating meaningful contrasts and boosting the cake's artistic expression.

NOT WAGASHI's Philosophy

The NOT WAGASHI brand stands on the principle of being ‘not wagashi’ while merging modern design aesthetics with the honor of traditional Japanese craftsmanship. By encouraging a new wave in the confectionery world, the series of Hokōka continues to expand the dialogues around dessert artistry.

With the introduction of unique textural elements from gyuhi and yokan alongside the prior exhibit of exquisite artisanal beauty, Hokōka redefines sweets into confectionery art pieces.