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Koshogatsu (Small Shogatsu)
In Japan, the time between January 1 and 7 is called “Big Shogatu” and the several days around the 15th are called “Small Shogatsu”.
Shogatsu traditions are still continuing here in Japan and my family and I had a lot of mochi and red beans this week.
On January 11th, people take down the kagami-mochi which had been offered to the god of the New Year during Shogatsu. This Japanese seasonal event is called “Kagami-biraki” (鏡開き, Opening the Rice-Cake Offerings). People smash the hardened mochi into pieces with heir hands or small mallet because using a knife or saying the word “break” wold displease the god. This explains the reason this event is called “Opening the Kagami-mochi”. The pieces of hardened mochi are grilled and one or two are put into Zenzai or Oshiruko which is a kind of sweet soup made of simmered red azuki beans, sugar and water. In this way, everyone receives a portion of the god’s blessing to live happily throughout the whole year. If you are interested in Oshiruko recipe tutorial, please check here!
In very ancient times the period between the full moons was considered one month, so the 15th marked the beginning of a new month. Even after Japan began using the solar calendar people continued to celebrate the “Full-Moon New Year” on January 15 and enjoy many special events.
It was the custom to enjoy azuki porridge during “Ko-shogatsu” (Small shogatsu) and pray for good health. In addition, people believed they could predict the abundance of the harvest by how the porridge was cooked and the way it turned out.
Nanakusa-gayu (Seven herb rice porridge)
The evening of January 6 through 7 has the special name of “Seventh-day New Year”. All over Japan people take down heir New Year’s decorations and enjoy various events.
On January 7 in ancient China, people customarily made soup with seven kinds of vegetables as a symbol of their wishes for good health. This custom was introduced to Japan where people already had the custom of eating rice porridge cooked with seven grains on January 15.
These two customs merged and Japanese people started adding seven kinds of spring herbs to make this seven-herb porridge called “Nanakusa-gayu” (七草粥). The original intention is to protect oneself against evils and invite good luck. And to pray for the longevity by eating the seven herbs that endure throughout the winter.
What are the “Seven Spring Herbs” and its meaning?
1. Seri (Japanese parsley) せり: To win the competition
2. Nazuna (Shepherd’s purse) なずな : To cleanse the dirty thing
3. Gogyo (Cottonweed) ごぎょう: Reflects the body of god
4. Hakobera (Chickweed) はこべら : To spread the prosperity
5. Hotokenoza (Henbit) ほとけのざ : Similar shape of lotus position
6. Suzuna (Turnip) すずな : Similar shape of bell that brings god
7. Suzushiro (Japanese radish Daikon) すずしろ : Reflects the purity
How to make Nanakusa-gayu (Seven Herb Rice Porridge)
Ingredients (4 servings) :
1 Seven herbs kit
1/2 Cup (80g) Japanese rice
2 Cup (400ml) Water
Directions:
1. Peel the turnips and daikon radish and cut into bite-size pieces.
2. Wash other herbs and cut into small pieces.
3. Put rice and water in a pot, cover the lid and heat with high heat.
4. When it starts to boil, turn low heat and add seven herbs.
5. Steam for 10 minutes. Then, turn off the heat.
6. Enjoy with sprinkle of salt, if needed.
Osechi (New Year’s Dish)
Osechi (おせち), the abbriviation of O-sechi-ryori, is a traditional New Year’s Dish which is severed in multi-tiered lacquered boxes called “ju-bako”(重箱).
Many years ago, Japanese people offered special food to the gods on the occasion of five different “sekku” (big festivals). These five were Nanakura, Hina Matsuri, Children’s Day, Tanabata and Chrysanthemum Festival. After the food was presented to the gods it was then enjoyed by the family. It was called “O-sechi (節)-ryori” because it referred to meals eatedn on “sekku” (節句).
Today, it has the specific meaning of festive food enjoyed at New Year’s. In samurai times the food was very spartan but nowadays it is quite elaborate and varies from region to region and family to family.
Osechi is intended to save Japanese housewives the trouble of cooking during the busy New Year’s holidays, so that they can take a break even for a few days, and it is also characterized by its strong overall flavor so that it can be preserved.
Osechi is also stuffed with dishes that bring good luck. For example, boiled shrimp (Ebi no Onigara-yaki) symbolize longevity because they are bent like an old person.
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Fukubukuro (Lucky Bag)
Fukubukuro is a Japanese New Year’s tradition in which a fukubukuro is made, the contents of which are unknown, and sold at a substantial discount of 50% or more of the list price. They are usually sold at a discount of 50% or more of the list price.
The word “fukubukuro” is composed of the words “Fuku” and “sack”. Fuku comes from the proverb, “There is good fortune in what remains.”
Popular stores usually have long lines of eager customers waiting for their fukubukuro bags a few hours before they open on New Year’s Day. Foreign brands are also aggressively selling fukubukuro.
Toshikoshi Soba
Toshikoshi Soba, or year-end buckwheat noodles, is a dish eaten annually on New Year’s Eve in Japan. This tasty tradition carries great significance and symbolizes the crossing over from one year to the next.
The custom of eating soba on New Year’s Eve is said to have started in the Edo Period (1603-1868). There are many theories behind the origins of this custom. One suggests that since buckwheat noodles are easier to cut than thicker varieties, it represents the cutting away of any bad luck built up over the course of the year.
Other beliefs point out how soba is healthy, so eating it is a great way to wish for good health in the new year. Since soba noodles are also long and thin, the noodles symbolize long life. Thus, it’s customary to eat them with the hope for longevity.
This time, I made a tempura soba. Since my kids are not a fan of fried shrimp at the moment, so I fried chikuwa (fish cake), Kanikama (fake crab meat), pumpkin aside with spring roll with ham and cheese. My family ate all of it. Yummy!
My family love dipping style soba. How about you?
Shime-kazari (Special decoration for Japanese New Year’s)
A shimenawa is a rope used to mark the boundary between this world and the next at shrines and other sacred places where gods are worshipped.
A shimenawa with lucky charms and other decorations attached to it is called a shime-Kazari. This is also a part of the Shogatsu event, which means that the house with the shime-kazari is ready to welcome the god of the year and is a sacred place.
The presence of the shimekazari makes the place safe and pure for the gods of the year to come down with peace of mind.
Originally, shime-kazari was usually made of rice straw to wish for a good harvest, but recently, more and more traditional shime-kazari are being arranged.
Radio Interview For “Living In Japan” (NHK World Japan)
I have an announcement to make this time.
That is, I was interviewed by NHK WORLD JAPAN for their radio program “Living in Japan” and went to the studio to participate in the recording!!!
“Living in Japan” is a program that provides hints and tips for foreigners who are living or planning to live in Japan, as well as for those who are interested in Japanese culture.
– Radio Webside
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/livinginjapan_pr/
– My InterviewRadio: Jan 2nd 2022 On air
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/radio/livinginjapan/202201020600/
In the recording, I talked about topics such as “How to start cooking Japanese food” and “Easy & Delicious dishes to cook during this season” etc. Since it was a radio program, my favorite song and its episode will also be introduced in the program.
It was my first time to record a radio show, but the MCs Kevin (YouTuber&Influencer) & Ruth (Company Consultant CEO) created a fun atmosphere, so I was able to enjoy the show and finish it.
The episode I was interviewed in will be aired on January 2, 2022 (SUN) at 1:10 pm Japan time. The program will be broadcast on the NHK World’s Free App, Radio, and Website and archived on On Demand, so don’t worry if you missed it!
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/radio/livinginjapan/
I’m also very excited to see how the show turns out.❤️
Season’s greetings to you!
The Season of Delicious Adzuki Red Beans
It’s getting so cold in the morning and evening that I can almost feel my white breath coming out. Winter is coming little by little. At this time of year, Adzuki red beans are especially delicious. The other day, I made a pudding with soy milk and leftover sweetened Adzuki red bean paste called Anko. (I used agar-agar, so the texture may be more of a jelly than a pudding.)
It’s very easy to make! Put the 1 cup of soy milk and a half cup of grainy Anko in a small saucepan and heat it up a little, then add the 1g of agar-agar powder (or 10g of Gelatin powder, if you prefer) and let it dissolve. Be careful not to overheat at this point! Turn off the heat, transfer to a container, wait until it comes to room temperature, and then put it in the refrigerator. Spoon as much as you like, place on your favorite dish, top with Kuromitsu (or molasses) and Kinako soybean powder.
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– Harekutani Cat Chopstick Rest Set
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Wagashi (Japanese Sweets) 和菓子
In today’s Japan, where many different food cultures come and go, wagashi is not in the spotlight as much as it used to be, but it still has a different appeal than western confectionaries that have been introduced from overseas.
Origin of Japanese sweets
There are some major events in the history of Wagashi. First, tea was introduced to Japan from China in the early 12th century, and wagashi became a part of tea ceremony over time.
In the 16th century, the Portuguese sugary sweets inspired the production of wagashi made with added sugar. During the Edo period, wagashi became more widely available to the public due to the increase of sugar imports. Until the Portuguese arrived in Japan, wagashi were naturally sweetened without sugar.
Difference from Yogashi (Western Sweets)
Unlike yogashi animal-based ingredients like dairy and eggs are not used to make wagashi. As a result, wagashi tends to be less fatty. On the other hand, wagashi often contains a lot of sugar. Also, wagashi is made by a variety of cooking methods beyond baking, such as steaming, kneading and molding.
Reflection of seasons
Wagashi is highly seasonal. Although many types of wagashi are available throughout the year, you can find unique wagashi items for each season. For example, pink colored wagashi is common in spring to represent the cherry blossom season. Wagashi with the shape and colors of autumn leaves are another popular item.
Varieties of Wagashi
- Dango (Rice Dumplings) 団子
Dango are small boiled dumplings made of rice flour. They are often served on bamboo skewers.
– Mitarashi dango (Dango coated with soy sauce and sugar sauce)
– Yomogi dango (Dango mixed with aromatic herb yomogi)
– An dango (Dango coated with sweet red bean paste)
– Kinako dango (Dango coated with sweet and dusty soy flour)
– Oshiruko (Dango in sweet red bean soup)
– Kurogoma dango (Dango coated with black sesame paste)
– Tsukimi dango *Dango eaten on the night of full moon in autumn to celebrate the harvest.
- Manju (Sweet Bun with Adzuki Bean Paste) 饅頭
Manju is type of wagashi typically stuffed with anko (sweet red bean paste), and also made with flour and steamed or baked.
– Saka manju *Yeast and koji mold are added to the dough.
– Ningyo yaki *Ningyo means doll.
– Kuri manju *Kuri means chestnut and it is filled with shiroan (sweet white kidney beans paste).
– Taiyaki *Sea bream shape manju
– Dorayaki *Anko sandwiched between small pancakes.
– Monaka *Anko packed inside a thin wafer.
