January 10th is a Day for Ebisu, a God of Business Prosperity
In Japan, especially in Western Japan, January 10th is a special day. It is a day for a god called Ebisu. It is a god of business prosperity.
Japanese culture
Fermented Brown Rice Nanakusagayu
Nanakusagayu is salt taste rice porridge made by what we call spring seven wild herbs. It is supposed to cleanse our stomach which has been filled with heavy meals during the new year’s holiday. If we have Nanakusagayu for breakfast on the 7th, we are said to have good health for the rest of the year.
Hatsumode, the First Visit to a Shinto Shrine in the New Year
We did Hatsumode, visiting a shrine on the 4th this year.
Joya no Kane, the New Year’s Eve Bell
In Japan, we have a tradition called Joya no Kane which means the New Year’s Eve Bell. The bells are rung 108 times at Buddhist temples throughout the country.
We Eat Squashes for the Winter Solstice in Japan
For dinner, we had squashes since that is our tradition in Japan at the winter solstice.
Praying at Benzaiten on a Day of Financial Fortune
It was a day of financial fortune today according to the Japanese lunar calendar, so I went to a Benzaiten shrine in our town. Benzaiten is Sarasvati in Sanskrit, and is said to give you wealth, and it is good to visit a Benzaiten shrine on a day like today.
Going to an Onsen, a Hot Spring is One of My Ikigais
I call onsen a Japanese sauna, and it has a tremendous wellness effect. I definitely think onsen is one of the secrets to Japanese longevity.
