Nanakusagayu(七草粥) - Rice porridge with 7 herbs

There is a custom to eat Nanakusagayu on 7th  January in Japan.

Nanakusagayu is a rice porridge with 7 spring herbs, i.e. seri, nazuna, gyou, hakobera, hotokenoza, suzuna, suzushiro. It is said the tradition to eat nanakusagayu started during Heian period (around the 8th century) with a wish of good health. It is also eaten to rest stomach after a big meal during the New Year’s celebration.

 

 

 

Nowadays, there is a packet of 7 herbs for nanakusagayu that is easily purchased at any supermarket in Japan. Some supermarkets, e.g. Isetan or Meidiya, in Singapore also sell it, but I couldn’t get it this year because it was all sold out. It is surprising because eating nanakusagayu is also a traditional event which is lesser and lesser popular in a present day in Japan. Are Japanese staying overseas more traditional than ones in Japan???

Wishing you good health!!!

Toso(屠蘇) - sake for the New Year's Day

A Happy New Year 2016!

 

How do you celebrate the New Year's Day?

I usually have a small celebration with my family at home with a traditional Japanese new year dishes called 'Osechi(お節)' and a sake. This year, I specially made and had a traditional New Year's sake called “Toso (屠蘇)”.

Toso is considered to be medicinal sake and the origin of liqueur in Japan. It is drunk during the three days after the New Year’s Day with the belief that eliminate evil and the wish of longevity and good luck. The tradition to drink Toso in the New Year's Day is an important culture and custom in Japan continuing from the Heian period (around the 8th century) after it was introduced from China. Toso is made by soaking 5-10 kinds of herbs and spices which prevent sickness during the cold seasons in sake and/or mirin(sake for seasoning). Nowadays, there is blended powder called toso-san (屠蘇散)  for Toso that is easily purchased.

However, the custom to make and drink Toso is lesser and lesser popular in Japan, especially for younger generation. In a modern era, a sake labelled ‘Omiki’ is sold for the New Year’s Day and it is much popular. In fact, this is the first time for even me to make/drink Toso for the New Year’s Day!!!

May this year brings you all happiness! Kanpai!!!