The Secret Life of Yuzu and Kabocha
Hi everybody!
The year is coming to a close with just a few days left.
We’ve received so much work from clients this year that our blog updates that were intended to be monthly have been much less than so. We thank you for your patronage.
Well, this time I thought I’d write about a custom appropriate for Japan in December.
December 22nd is the day of the year where the sun is at its lowest in the sky and the daylight hours are the shortest. Nowadays, it is known in Japan as the day where you pray for good health while bathing in yuzu citron-filled baths and eating kabocha pumpkin, but it was originally celebrated as the rebirth of the sun as the days following the solstice grew longer.
So how did these customs of yuzu citron baths and kabocha pumpkin eating come about?
・Yuzu Citron Baths
There are many different theories about its origin, but bathing in yuzu citron is actually said to be a ritual to cleanse oneself of evil. The strongly fragrant yuzu citron fruit is in season in the winter, and it had a reputation of preventing colds. As the yuzu tree requires many years before it can bear fruit, it symbolizes the wish for the bearing of fruits for one’s long labors.
I too was bathed in yuzu citron baths, and I found that my body was warmed, the fragrance pleasant, and the experience relaxing.
・Kabocha Pumpkin Eating
Japanese people believed that eating food that ended with the character ん (“n”) would bring good fortune as the word for fortune sounded similar: “un.” Carrots, called “ninjin,” and daikon radish are also said to be good for this reason.
Kabocha pumpkin when written in kanji characters as 南瓜 is pronounced as “nankin.” On top of having Ns in its name, it also has the meaning of heading from north to south, which is said to be very lucky.
Consciously researching Japanese customs like these that have been so nonchalantly celebrated over the years gives you an appreciation for the wisdom and desires of older generations and can be quite fun.
I would like to express our appreciation for our readers and wish you all a wonderful 2016.