On January 7th, let's eat rice porridge with seven herbs to get our bodies in shape.
January 7th is Jinjitsu, one of the five seasonal festivals, so we had rice porridge with seven herbs. (It is called "Nanakusa-gayu")
It ended up being a bit like Nazuna was the main character, but I felt like my stomach and intestines were able to take a breather thanks to that.
The seven herbs of spring are Seri, Nazuna, Gogyo, Hakobera, Hotokenoza, Suzuna, Suzushiro.
Each one is considered to be auspicious, and is said to have the effect of regulating the stomach and intestines and preventing colds.
We enjoyed the delicious meal in a beautiful, vibrant vermilion Aizu lacquer bowl .
For those who don't know much about Nanakusa-gayu, I'll explain it in a bit more detail.
🌿 The Seven Herbs of Spring and Their Meanings
| Seven herbs | Meaning and origin | Traditional efficacy |
| Seri | It means "to outcompete" because they grow in a competitive manner. | Increases appetite and strengthens the stomach |
| Nazuna | A name derived from the phrase "to rub and remove dirt" | Diuretic and intestinal regulation |
| Gogyo | A symbol of purification that is connected to the "form of Buddha" | Cough suppressant/expectorant |
| Hakobera | It is considered a lucky charm because it brings about "prosperity." | Periodontal disease and nutrition |
| Hotokenoza | The overlapping leaves resemble a Buddha seat. | Intestinal regulation and stomach health |
| Suzuna | An old name for turnip. | Digestion promotion/nourishment |
| Suzushiro | An old name for radish. Meaning "clean and white." | Regulates the stomach and prevents colds |
🍚 The origin and meaning of Nanakusa-gayu
- Day to eat : January 7th (Jinjitsu Festival)
- Origin :
- During the Chinese festival known as "Jinjitsu," there was a custom of eating seven kinds of herbs on January 7th to pray for good health.
- In Japan, there has long been an event called "Wakana Tsumi," in which early spring wildflowers are picked and offered to the gods.
- These two practices merged and became a part of the imperial court rituals during the Heian period, and spread among the common people during the Edo period.
- Meaning :
- "Health food" to soothe the stomach and intestines tired from the New Year's feast.
- By incorporating the vitality of young leaves, people pray for good health, longevity and good health.
- A bowl that symbolizes gratitude to the New Year deity and the transition back to everyday life.
- Manners :
- In some areas, people chant "Nanakusa Bayashi" while carving seven herbs the night before.
- By offering it at the Shinto altar and sharing it with the family, prayers are shared.
In this way, Nanakusa-gayu is not just a dish, but can also be said to be a part of the Japanese culture of prayer, where people prepare their minds and bodies at the start of the new year and receive the power of nature.
If you are interested in this beautiful Aizu lacquerware, please click here .
