Annual Event

Hello, how are you?

Did you eat rice cake at tanabata?
I did't eat it because I didn't know the custom:(

I'll introduce Japanese annual events;)

Spring

The day before the beginning of spring(setsubun)
We scatter beans to drive out bad luck, and eat the beans the same number as our age.
Until several years ago, eating ehoumaki was the custom only in Kansai area, but recently, this custom spread out all over Japan. Eat it with family quietly looking the certain direction at night.

The Doll's festival(hinamatsuri)
Eating clams(hamaguri) soup is the custom. It wishing to see good partner in her life.
I like eating hinaarare.

Spring equinox(syunbun)
Eat rice cake to wish rich harvest.

Summer

The Boy's Festival(tango no sekku)
Eat kasiwamochi(rice cake covered with an oak leave) and chimaki.

the Star Festival(tanabata)
Eat rice cake in many parts of Japan.

dog days(doyo)
We eat ells at doyo no ushino hi.
Also, eat clam(shijimi) soup.

Autumn

Full moon night(zyugoya)
It's the lunar 15th August night, eat rice cake looking at full moon.

the equinoctial week(ohigan)
Put rice cakes covered with bean jam(ohagi) in this week.

Winter

the winter solstice(toji)
Not to catch a cold, eat pumpkin(nankin) and put yuzu(a kind of mandarin) in a bath.
Also, eat kinkan, ginnan, renkon, ninjin, daikon, udon etc...to invite un(luck).

New Year's Eve(oomisoka)
Eat the buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year's Eve(toshikoshi-soba) is popular custom.
Also, eat salmon in the Eastern Japan, yellowtail(buri) in the Western Japan and sardine(iwashi) in the Southern Japan.

How many did you know?
I knew about half.
I learned Japanese people had eaten rice cake, rice cake, rice cake....in the old days!!!
Please try these customs this year!!