January festival (Nanakusa -sekku)

The Seven Herbs Rice Porridge (七草粥, nanakusa-gayu) is a traditional Japanese dish associated with the "Nanakusa no Sekku" (七草の節句), or the Festival of Seven Herbs, which takes place on January 7th. This day is also known as the Jinjitsu no Sekku (人日の節句), or the Festival of Human Day, in the old lunar calendar. The custom of eating seven herbs rice porridge has deep cultural and health-related significance.

Origins of the Seven Herbs Rice Porridge

1. The Seven Herbs
   The rice porridge is made with a selection of seven specific herbs that are considered symbols of spring. These are:

   • Seri (芹) – Water dropwort

   • Nazuna (薺) – Shepherd's purse

   • Gogyou (御形) – Cudweed

   • Hakobe (繁縷) – Common chickweed

   • Hotokenoza (仏の座) – Flatweed

   • Suzuna (すずな) – Turnip

   • Suzushiro (すずしろ) – Daikon radish

   These herbs are seasonal plants that appear in early spring and have been historically used for their medicinal properties.