Kid-Friendly Japanese Food: vol.88
Menu:
– Japanese rice topped with Natto
– Miso soup with wakame and fu [Recipe]
– Harumaki (Spring roll)
– Nikujaga
– Glass noodle salad
– Pumpkin salad
Japanese Baby and Child Celebrations
Fifth Month of Pregnancy :
Obi-Iwai (Obi-tying ceremony)
After labor & delivery:
Hospitalization for 5 to 7 days
7th day after birth:
Meimei Shiki (Naming ceremony)
Oshichiya (The 7th night after birth)
14th day after birth:
Birth registration
1 month after birth:
Omiya-mairi (Visit to the shrine)
3 months after birth (100 days after birth):
Okuizome (Weaning ceremony)
5 months after birth (150 days after birth):
Weaning begins
First festival after birth:
First New Year’s Day
First Doll’s Festival (3/3 for girls, 5/5 for boys)
First birthday:
Aruki iwai (Celebration of walking)
Tanjou mochi/Chikara mochi/Tachi mochi
Erabitori
Age 3:
Shichi-Go-San (3 years old-girl)
Age 4:
Entrance ceremony (also for 3 year olds)
Age 5:
Shichi-Go-San (for 5 year old boys)
Age 6:
Graduation ceremony
Entrance ceremony
Age 7:
Shichi-Go-San (7-year-old girl)
Age 12:
Graduation ceremony
Age 13:
Jusan mairi (13-year-old girl)
Oshichiya (The 7th Night After Giving Birth)
Every region has a custom to hold some kind of celebration on the night that falls on the seventh day after the baby is born, which is called the “Oshichiya” (お七夜).
In the past, relatives, neighbors, matchmakers, godparents, midwives, and others were invited to a feast, where the baby’s name was announced and the baby was recognized as a member of society for the first time.
This is a remnant of this tradition, and this gathering is also known as the “celebration of naming called “Meimei Shiki“(命名式).
How to celebrate the Oshichiya
The standard celebration meal for Oshichiya is a red rice (sekihan) served with a fish head. Other auspicious items such as kombu (kelp) and red and white fu (wheat gluten) are also used, but they vary from region to region. You may also serve simmered dishes, sashimi, etc. according to the taste of the guests.
Since it is impossible for the mother to prepare the food for the Oshichiya, it is common to ask the grandparents to help, or to have the food catered.
It would be a pity to take a seven-day-old baby out to a large gathering, so it is best to put the baby in a separate room and allow the guests to see him or her before the feast begins.
Who to invite to the seventh day
The seventh day of life is the time when the mother and the baby are discharged from the hospital, and the mother is easily exhausted. Therefore, today, it is common to invite only the grandparents from both sides of the family for an informal celebration.
If you are invited to the seventh night
Although there is no specific custom, it is a good idea to bring a gift of some kind. It is common to bring a bouquet of flowers, a cake, sake, fruit, a small toy, or baby items.
Memo:
Are you interested in more about Japanese culture & events? Check here!
Hiyayakko Chilled Tofu
In this recipe video, I will introduce how to make Hiyayakko. Hiyayakko is chilled tofu topped with seasonings and condiments. Depending on the toppings, you can enjoy various flavors of chilled tofu. In this episode, I put shiso, myoga, and dried bonito flakes on top. This is easy & nutritious recipe that is a perfect dish for hot summer time.
How To Store Carrot
To increase the absorption rate of beta-carotene, it is more effective to cook carrots in oil than to eat them raw, and to cook them in oil rather than stewing them. When eaten raw, with vinegar or lemon is recommended. To store carrots, wipe dry and cut off the leaves at first. Then, wrap each one in a piece of newspaper. After put them in a ziplock or plastic bag, and store upright refrigerate. It can be refrigerated for 2~3 weeks!
Kid-Friendly Japanese Food: vol.87
Menu:
– Rice topped with Natto
– Miso soup with wakame and ofu
– Simmered yellowtail and radish
– Simmered pumpkin
– Kinpira gobo [Recipe]
Japanese Set Meal Idea : vol.267
Menu:
– Japanese rice [Recipe]
– Miso soup with wakame and fu [Recipe]
– Simmered pumpkin [Recipe]
– Kinpira gobo with pork [Recipe]
– Eggplant stir-fry with miso
– Harusame salad
Japanese Soup Curry
Japanese soup curry (スープカレー) originated in Hokkaido, Japan, where it was influenced by Thai and other Asian cuisines. It is a refreshing dish even in summer, but it is also popular as a warming dish during the cold winter months. It is also an attractive dish for those who want to store plenty of nutrients with the power of spices and vegetables, and can be freely arranged by adding seafood, tofu, mushrooms, and other ingredients.
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Koromogae (Seasonal Change of Clothing) 衣替え
As the seasons change from spring to summer, people put away their warmer clothing and take out their lighter, thinner clothing. Some families even use different furniture and household utensils.
Although things have changed considerably from the days when kimonos were worn every day, the custom of changing clothes according to the season still continues.
Schools and workplaces with uniforms also have the custom of changing clothes. Jackets are removed, tops are changed from long-sleeved to short-sleeved, and bottoms are made of light, breathable fabrics such as linen. Also, depending on the industry, many workplaces are encouraging employees to wear no-ties or casual clothes to work only during this time of the year.
In very olden days, it was the custom at the royal court to change into summer attire on April 1 of the lunar calendar and back into winter on October 1. In later years, the Shogun issued precise regulations regarding dress to all samurai and ladies of the court. Commomn people as well were bound by the regulations.
During the Meiji period, the government established official dates for the seasonal change of clothing. To this day, it is still general practive to change from winter to summer clothes on June 1 and back to winter on October 1.
Seasonal Changes in the House
- Yoshido (葦戸) : Sliding door made of reeds
- Hanagoza (花茣蓙)：Colorful rush matting to lay on top of tatami
- Kayari (蚊遣り) : Mosquito coils burn in holders of various shapes
- Uchiwa (団扇) : Round flat fan
- Kaya (蚊帳) : Mosquito netting is rarely used in Japan nowadays but until dairly recently people slept under these nets during summer.
- Natsu-noren (夏暖簾) : Noren are long divided curtains often hung in the entryways of shops and restaurants. During the summer, many shop owners noren made of linen or other light babrics.
Memo:
Are you interested in more about Japanese culture & events? Check here!
How To Store Orange
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and skin benefits. You may have trouble storing them when they can’t fit in the refrigerator or when you can’t finish eating them. In such cases, I recommend wrapping oranges in newspaper and storing them at room temperature in a cool, well-ventilated, dark place. 1 to 2 weeks will keep them tasty without drying out. Just don’t forget to refrigerate them before eating!
