According to the calendar, Hinamatsuri falls on March 3, just before the beginning of mid-spring. This year has been said to be a warm winter, and many people may have felt the change of seasons early. New buds are beginning to take on color in the fields and mountains along with the warm rain, and we can't wait for the cherry blossoms to bloom.
It is in this climate that Girls' Day falls on March 3rd. The menu for celebratory occasions changes with the times and trends, but it is said that the menu for Girls' Day has become a standard menu for many households around March 3rd, regardless of the times, trends, or the gender or presence of children.
When you think of Hinamatsuri menus, you think of chirashi sushi and clam soup. For snacks, sakura mochi and hina arare are served, and the table is decorated with spring-like colors. In this article, we will introduce some standard menus and ingredients with a focus on colors, as well as their meanings and origins, and hope that this will give you some ideas for enjoying seasonal meals and incorporating new elements of your home.
Hishimochi, a rice cake that represents spring and prayer
When you think of Hinamatsuri, you think of Hina dolls. The food that goes with the dolls is "hisshi mochi"
In ancient China, there was a custom of eating rice cakes filled with "motherwort", a plant of the Asteraceae family, on the Jōshi festival.
When it was introduced to Japan, it changed to mochi containing mugwort, which is believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. During the Edo period, white mochi containing water chestnuts began to be layered on top of mugwort mochi, and during the Meiji period, red mochi colored with gardenia also began to be layered.
There are several theories about why Hishimochi is rhombus-shaped, including that it resembles the fertile diamond fruit, that the square shape is stretched to pray for longevity, and that it is shaped like a heart.
A classic celebration dish: chirashi sushi
In recent years, many households have started eating temari sushi instead of chirashi sushi.
Cute shaped temari sushi!
Temari-zushi, as the name suggests, is a type of sushi that is round like a ball and decorated with colorful sashimi and other ingredients.
There is no origin for temari sushi itself, but sushi is a standard dish for celebrations as it is said to " control longevity ," and since "temari" also has various meanings, it has become a standard celebratory dish because it is "sushi" that incorporates the meaning of "temari" and because of its cute appearance.
The meaning of "Temari"
The "Tsurushibina" Temari balls that are displayed during the first New Year are considered to be auspicious items and are also used as toys for young children. Their plump and happy bouncing figure represents wishes for a rich and fulfilling life.
The "temari" pattern is often used on kimonos and obi.
It is a pattern that symbolizes femininity and cuteness. Because it is made using long threads, the round shape of the pattern represents the wish of parents for their children's happiness, wishing them "to build a happy family" and "to have everything turn out well."
Clam soup
Clam shells come in pairs and will never fit with other shells. Because they always fit perfectly together, they were even used in the game of "shell matching" during the Heian period. This represents the wish to spend one's life with one person.
Because of this, it is said that the custom of eating this dish on Hinamatsuri (Girl's Day) comes from the hope of finding a good partner, and it is served at wedding ceremonies as a symbol of the close relationship between husband and wife and parents.
Hina Arare
The four basic colors of Hina Arare are white, pink, green, and yellow .
The cute and colorful Hina Arare is imbued with the message of "praying for the healthy growth of daughters."
The four colors , white, peach, and green, have the same meaning as hishimochi, and are said to represent the four seasons. The meaning of yellow will also be added.
Nowadays, they are sold in a variety of colors, flavors, and other options to suit your tastes.
The cute packaging matches the colorful hues and is enjoyable to look at.
Peach blossom wine
The name Baijiu comes from "Peach Blossom Wine," which is made with peach petals.
Peaches were introduced from China as medicinal liquor, believed to ward off evil spirits and provide good nutrition. In ancient China, peaches were considered to be trees that ward off evil, so they came to be used in the Doll's Festival as a prayer to ward off misfortune. Peach leaves are also said to be effective against skin diseases, and in the past people would float peach leaves in their baths.
For children, try amazake♪
Many people think that amazake and shirozake are the same thing, but they are completely different. Shirozake and amazake are often confused because they look similar, but shirozake is made by lightly grinding the mash that has been aged for about a month and prepared with shochu and rice or koji.
Amazake is a sweet drink made by mixing rice malt with rice or porridge and keeping it warm. It is also called "one night sake" because it is easy to make and can be made overnight.
When enjoying a party with children, we recommend amazake as it sets the right atmosphere.
Since it is made from koji, it is also good for your body and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Celebration is about eating, enjoying the season and being happy!
A Hinamatsuri dinner table incorporating spring-like colors.
In addition to these traditional celebratory menus, incorporating your child's favorite foods will not only make the celebration more attractive, but also more enjoyable for them.
