Seasonal Foods Eaten During Japanese Celebrations
In Japan, special foods are eaten during ceremonies and celebrations. These ceremonial dishes incorporate many seasonal ingredients, which is characteristic of how they reflect the changing of the four seasons. Additionally, these dishes often use auspicious foods that have been passed down through tradition since ancient times.
Osechi-ryori is packed in special stacked boxes, with each dish containing wishes for family health, longevity, and good fortune. For example, kombu rolls represent "joy," while red and white kamaboko (fish cake) symbolizes "happiness," "celebration," and "sacredness."
Ozoni is another New Year's dish. It typically contains mochi rice cakes, chicken, daikon radish, spinach, and kamaboko, but ingredients and soup base vary by region. The shape and cooking method of the mochi also differs depending on the area.
In the Kanto region, square mochi is common, while the Kansai region typically uses round mochi. Clear broth is the most common soup base nationwide, but some areas use white miso or mixed miso, creating a rich variety of styles.
Nanakusa-gayu [Festival of Seven Herbs]
Nanakusa-gayu (seven herb rice porridge) is a ceremonial dish eaten on January 7th, the Festival of Seven Herbs. People eat rice porridge containing seven specific herbs (water dropwort, shepherd's purse, cudweed, chickweed, henbit, turnip, and daikon radish) wishing for good health throughout the year. After several days of eating rich Osechi dishes during New Year celebrations, this porridge helps rest the stomach.
Each herb has health benefits: water dropwort helps prevent arteriosclerosis and aids digestion; shepherd's purse reduces fever and stops bleeding; cudweed relieves coughs and reduces swelling; chickweed has pain-relieving and diuretic effects; henbit helps prevent high blood pressure; turnip prevents constipation; and daikon helps with gastritis and poor circulation.
Chirashi-zushi [Doll's Festival]
On March 3rd, the Doll's Festival celebrates girls' healthy growth, with families enjoying chirashi-zushi. Japan has a long tradition of eating sushi on celebratory occasions.
Chirashi-zushi is a type of sushi with various ingredients like shrimp, lotus root, and shredded egg (kinshi-tamago) arranged on vinegared rice. Shrimp represents "long life," lotus root symbolizes "clear vision for the future," and shredded egg represents "good fortune with money." With its beautiful appearance and auspicious ingredients, chirashi-zushi is the perfect dish for the Doll's Festival.
Somen noodles are eaten during Tanabata, celebrated on July 7th. Tanabata is based on the legend of Orihime and Hikoboshi, lovers who are permitted to meet only once a year by crossing the Milky Way on July 7th.
Toshikoshi-soba [New Year's Eve]
Toshikoshi-soba is eaten on December 31st (New Year's Eve), the last day of the year. The long shape of soba noodles symbolizes wishes for "long life" and "spending a long time with family." Additionally, since soba noodles break more easily than other noodles, they represent "cutting off the misfortunes of the past year."
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Japan has distinct four seasons, so there are specific seasonal foods for spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Japanese people eat seasonal ingredients to both experience the changing seasons and to obtain the necessary nutrients for each time of year.
Traditional event dishes also frequently incorporate seasonal foods. Let's enjoy seasonal ingredients when they are at their most delicious during the year and appreciate the changing seasons through food.
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