The Doyo no Ushi no Hi festival, an essential event in the Japanese summer, has long been known as a way to protect one's health during the change of seasons. On this day, people prepare to survive the hot summer through special foods and customs.

Doyo no Ushi no Hi has been deeply rooted in Japanese life since ancient times, but few people may know the details of its origins and meaning.

So, this time we will introduce the history and culture hidden in Doyo no Ushi no Hi, as well as the fascinating customs that continue to this day. Why not gain a deeper understanding of this traditional event and enjoy Japan's seasonal culture?

What is Doyo no Ushi no Hi in Japan?

Doyo no Ushi no Hi is a traditional event based on the change of seasons in Japan. This day has been familiar to people as a wisdom for staying healthy while preparing for the next season. Here, we will explain the meaning of "Doyo" and "Ushi no Hi" in an easy-to-understand way.

Definition of Doyo

"Doyo" refers to the change of seasons based on the traditional Japanese calendar. "Doyo" refers to the approximately 18 days before the beginning of spring, summer, autumn, and winter (risshun (start of spring), risshun (start of summer), risshun (start of autumn), and risshun (start of winter). This idea originates from the Chinese "Yin-Yang and the Five Elements Theory," which classifies the natural world into five parts: "wood, fire, earth, metal, and water." "Earth," which does not belong to the four seasons, represents the change of seasons, and so the special period of "Doyo" was born.

The meaning of Ox Day

"Ox Day" refers to a date based on the Chinese zodiac, which is a system of 12 animals that was passed down from ancient China. In Japan, the zodiac is used not only to indicate the year and direction, but also to count the days.

"Ushi no Hi" occurs every 12 days, and "Doyo no Ushi no Hi" refers to the Ushi no Hi that occurs during the Doyo period. This day is deeply rooted in Japanese culture as a day to eat health-conscious meals.

The year when the second day of the ox comes

Because the Doyo period is long, lasting about 18 days, the "Ushi no Hi" (Day of the Ox) can occur twice every 12 days. The first is called "Ichi no Ushi" and the second is called "Nino Ushi." There is a 60% chance that Nino Ushi will occur in a year, and it is considered the perfect time to recover from the summer fatigue, as it occurs during that time of year.

In addition, Ni-no-Ushi has long been deeply connected to the lifestyles of Japanese people who are conscious of seasonal changes. This day is also a symbolic day for preparing the mind and body for the next season.

History of Doyo no Ushi Day

The custom of eating eel on Doyo no Ushi no Hi has been shaped over a long history. Eel has been loved as a nutritious food since ancient times, and has become an indispensable food at the change of seasons. During the Edo period, it became even more widespread thanks to the ingenuity of merchants. Behind this custom is deeply rooted Japanese wisdom and culture.

Eel culture continues from ancient times

Eels first became popular in Japan in the Nara period. In the Manyoshu, there is a famous poem by Otomo no Yakamochi recommending eels to his friend: "I tell Ishimaro, "Eel is good for preventing summer weight loss. Catch and eat some eels." From this poem, we can see that eels were already known as a nutritious food for strengthening the body and were eaten to prevent summer fatigue during the Nara period.

In ancient Japan, eels were a familiar food source caught in rivers and lakes, and were also a valuable source of protein. Thus, eels have been familiar as a food that supports health since ancient times, and have become deeply rooted in Japanese food culture.

The custom of eating eels began in the Edo period

The custom of eating eel on the Day of the Ox began in the mid-Edo period, and is famous for the story of a talented scholar named Hiraga Gennai. Gennai was active in many fields, including as a scholar of Dutch studies and an inventor, and was known for his original ideas.

At the time, eels in the summer were not popular because they had little fat, so the owner of an eel shop who was struggling with sales consulted Gennai. Making use of the custom that "eating something with the character 'u' in it on the day of the ox is auspicious," Gennai proposed a sign that read "Today is Doyo no Ushi no Hi." This method was a great success, and many customers began to visit. Thus, the culture of eating eels on Doyo no Ushi no Hi has been carefully passed down to the present day as wisdom for getting through the seasons.

What to eat on Doyo no Ushi no Hi

Doyo no Ushi no Hi is closely linked to a special food culture for staying healthy through the hot Japanese summer. On this day, it is customary to eat nutritious foods that prevent summer fatigue. Eel is a typical example of this, but many other foods have been used since ancient times.

Grilled eel

When talking about Doyo no Ushi no Hi, you can't do without eating grilled eel. Kabayaki is a dish unique to Japan, in which eel is cut open and grilled while being coated with a sweet and spicy sauce. Eel is rich in vitamins A and B1, as well as iron, making it a nutritious food that helps improve immunity, recover from fatigue, and increase physical strength. In Japan, where people easily lose their physical strength during the hot summer, it is traditional wisdom to eat eel to prevent summer fatigue.

Foods that start with "u"

Aside from eel, there is also a custom of eating foods that begin with the letter "u." Pickled plums aid digestion and improve appetite in the summer. Watermelons and cucumbers are rich in water and help cool the body, while udon noodles are easy to digest and gentle on the stomach, making them perfect for hot days. This custom originates from the belief that foods that begin with the letter "u" bring good health and good fortune.

Black Food

In the ancient Chinese theory of the five elements, summer corresponds to "fire," and eating the opposite, "black," food is said to bring balance to the body. Because of this, it is customary to eat black foods such as black sesame, eggplant, and loach on the Day of the Ox in the Doyo Period. Black sesame helps restore physical strength with its antioxidant properties, eggplant has a cooling effect on the body, and loach is high in protein and has excellent nutritional value. These foods have been adopted as part of the old wisdom for maintaining good health.

Things to avoid during the Doyo period

Doyo is a special time in the traditional Japanese calendar that marks the change of seasons. During this time, there are certain things you should avoid in order to respect nature and act with caution.

Don't mess with the soil

During the Doyo period, a god called "Dokujin" is said to be protecting the earth above ground, and digging up the soil is to be avoided. This includes gardening and construction work, but it is said that it is okay to move the soil on certain days called "Mabi." This teaching shows respect for nature and conveys the importance of acting with caution.

Don't start anything new

The change of seasons is a time when people's physical condition is easily affected by changes in the weather and environment. For this reason, it is said that people should avoid starting new things such as moving house, getting married, or changing jobs. This is a wisdom for life that will help you avoid trouble and stress by staying calm and not forcing yourself.

Refrain from moving in a specific direction

During the Doyo period, it is said that it is better to avoid moving in certain directions based on the idea of "Doyo-satsu." Unlucky directions are determined based on the calendar, which changes every year, and moving or traveling in those directions is discouraged. However, if you absolutely must travel, there are ways to deal with it called "direction warding."

summary

Doyo no Ushi no Hi is a traditional Japanese event that is full of wisdom and culture that has been passed down since ancient times. Its history and customs are imbued with the Japanese people's desire to value the changing of the seasons and to protect their health.

In particular, ingredients such as eel and a lifestyle that focuses on harmony with nature still exude a fresh appeal even today.

This summer, why not experience Japanese culture through Doyo no Ushi no Hi and find some tips to help you get through the hot season in good health?