Let's learn Japanese!コミュの七草粥 - nanakusa-gayu

Today, I would like to post something that not so many non-Japanese people know about.

Have you ever heard of "Nanakusa-gayu"?

nana = seven
kusa = weed
kayu = rice gruel

The meaning is "rice gruel containing the seven spring herbs" which is eaten on the seventh day of the New Year.

(although originally the date is based on the Japanese old calender from China - In Japan, the traditional end of winter is on February 3rd, and is known as Setsubun. - The date is different every year because it is based on the lunar calendar)

The 7 herbs are as following

(1) セリ（芹） = cicely
(2) ナズナ（薺）= shepherd's-purse
(3) ゴギョウ（御形）= cudweed
(4) ハコベラ（繁縷） = chickweed
(5) ホトケノザ（仏の座） = henbit
(6) スズナ（菘）またはカブ（蕪） = turnip weed
(7) スズシロ（蘿蔔）またはダイコン大根 = Japanese radish weed

The seven grasses are believed to remove sinister evil from the body and prevent illness
throughout the year...

However not only these are used for the traditional superstitious reasons, but also used for the consideration that it's hard to get nutrition which we get from vegetables during the winter time.

I just noticed that I used to have this meal every new year...
The taste is quite special and you should all try to taste it if you ever have any chance...