#saijiki

[dear-science]

The amorous cat returns – the starry field, the starry marsh

Hashimoto Takako, The Amorous Cat Returns

[gonzabasta]

GONZA's review of Il calendario della vita giapponese

4/5: Molto carino e da riaprire ogni mese per ripassare le celebrazioni giuste.

[haruri179]

Shinnenn (New Year) (3/6)

What is Shimenawa?

   There is a Shimenawa as a New Year's decoration lined up with Kagami-mochi and Kadomatsu. Shimenawa consists of a twisted rice-straw rope and white paper cut in strips. It separates a holy place from other unclean places and is considered a barrier against evil spirits.

   By decorating the Shimenawa, it is shown that it is a suitable place to welcome the Toshigami.

[haruri179]

Shinnenn (New Year) (2/6)

New Year decorations in Japan

   Various decorations are made at the end of the year to welcome the new toshigami. The most famous of these is "Kagami-moochi"(round rice‐cake). There are various forms of "Kagami-moochi", but it is standard to stack two large and small round "mochi (raice cake)" and put "Dai (bitter orange)" on it.

   https://forest17.com/

   Kagami-moochi is an offering to the Toshigami, and it is believed that the Toshigami resides here. In recent years, it is common to decorate Kagami-mochi sold in containers because of its convenience and hygiene when eating later.

    Kadomatsu is another major decoration for the New Year. Kadomatsu is a decoration made of pine and bamboo that can be erected in front of the gate of the house, and is displayed as a mark to the Toshigami.

   Kagami-mochi and Kadomatsu are also New Year's kigo (season words).

[haruri179]

Shinnenn (New Year) -(1/6)

Happy New Year!!

I sincerely pray for your happiness!

What is Shinnnenn (New Year) in Japan?

   The Japanese have always valued the "hatu (first)". Above all, the "Shinnenn (New Year)" is the beginning of everything and is the most important event of the year for Japanese people. Saijiki is divided into four seasons, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, but since there are many "kigo"(seasonal words) related to the New Year, only the New Year is often a separate volume. This month, I will introduce "kigo" related to "Shinnenn".

   In Japan, it has long been believed that there is a god called "Toshigami" who comes home at the beginning of the year and brings us the happiness and health of the year. The New Year is an event to invite the "Toshigami" of the year and give hospitality. "Toshigami" and "Toshitokuzinn", which have the same meaning, are also New Year's kigo.

[haruri179]

Kaki (oysters) -winter Kigo (3/3)

Famous oyster dishes in Japan

   In Japan, where rice was the main food, Japanese mixed rice(Takikomi-gohan in Japanese) made by cooking with various ingredients and rice together with seasonings is famous, and one of them, kaki-meshi(oyster rice), is also popular oyster dish.

This photo is Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture.

   Today, Kaki fry (oyster fry) is famous when it comes to oyster dishes. Fried foods such as seafood and vegetables with egg whites and bread crumbs and fried in a large amount of cooking oil are one of the Western-style dishes developed uniquely in Japan. Kaki fry is the most popular type of fry in winter, and is recommended for people who like Japanese fry such as Tonnkatu (pork cutlet).

This photo is Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture.

[haruri179]

Kaki (oysters) -winter Kigo (2/3)

  How to eat Kaki  in old Japan?

    In Japan, oyster farming began in Hiroshima during the Edo period. Hiroshima oysters were carried by a ship called a "Kakibune"(Oyster boat) to Osaka (Osaka was Japan's second largest city at the time). Therefore, oyster dishes are said to have developed especially in Osaka, where it is said that all money is spent on food.

    This "Kakibune(Oyster boat)" not only sells oysters, but there are also many restaurants that serve oyster-centric dishes on board. One of the most popular oyster dishes in Osaka is "Dote-nabe(Bank hot pot)". "Dote-nabe" is a dish in which oysters and vegetables are boiled and eaten while miso with dashi soup and seasonings is applied to the inside of the pot and the miso is gradually melted in the pot.

This photo is Courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture.

[haruri179]

Kaki (Oysters)  -winter Kigo  (1/3)

What is Kaki?

    Kaki (Oysters) are bivalves that adhere to rocks. Oysters are often eaten in Europe and the United States, but they are also cultivated all over Japan and are a representative seafood of winter, which is Kigo(the season word) for winter.

https://www.pakutaso.com/20180341073post-15534.html  

    Oysters are creamy and nutritious, as they are called "sea milk". In Japan, oysters from Hiroshima and Miyagi (Sanriku) are especially famous for their deliciousness.

     There is no culture of eating raw seafood in Europe and the United States, but oysters are eaten raw. On the other hand, in Japan, which has a culture of eating raw seafood, we now eat raw oysters, but in the past we used to eat cooked oysters.