Nanakusa no Sekku 七草の節句, 7 Herbs Festival, January 7

The dish eaten on January 7 in Japan is called Nanakusa gayu 七草粥
The preparation of Nanakusa gayu 七草粥
The Japanese imperial calendar “Gosekku” 五節句

Nanakusa no Sekku (七草の節句), literally “festival of seven herbs,” is a traditional Japanese festival held on January 7.

The tradition is to eat seven detoxifying herbs to start the new year in the best possible way and invigorate your body and mind after the excesses of the Japanese New Year.

This custom dates back to the Han Dynasty in China, hundreds of years ago, and then came to Japan where it became an important cultural custom.

The dish eaten on January 7 in Japan is called Nanakusa gayu 七草粥

“Nana” means “seven” in Japanese, and “kusa” means “grass”. The name “NanaKusa” refers to the diversity of each blade of grass, which represents the individuality of each person.

Nanakusa gayu is a seven-herb porridge eaten for breakfast on January 7. This special festive dish brings together seven herbs that are believed to cleanse the body (detoxify), improve health and bring good fortune for the coming year.

The seven herbs used in Japan today are:

せり, Seri: Chinese celery. Rich in carotene and vitamin C, it strengthens the immune system.

なずな, Nazuna: Shepherd’s purse. Rich in minerals, such as iron and zinc, generating medicinal benefits, including diuresis and detoxification.

ごぎょう, gogyō: Gnaphalium. Helps stop coughing and sputum, prevent colds and lower fever.

はこべら, hakobera: Morgeline or intermediate stellar. Rich in vitamin A, which is good for the eyes.

ほとけのざ, hotokenoza: Lamier amplexicaule. Contains a lot of vegetable fiber. Good for the stomach

すずな, suzuna: Turnip. Rich in vitamins and whose amylase promotes digestion.

すずしろ, suzushiro: Daikon, Japanese radish

The preparation of Nanakusa gayu 七草粥

In France, it is not easy to find all these herbs. But you can make a variation by using for example: Coriander, Mint, Cress, Chives, Fennel, Chives, Basil, Chervil…

You just have to wash your Japanese rice well and cook it in water in a saucepan (count 2 soupspoons of rice for 200 ml of water). Once cooked, you can crush it with a mortar.

Once the herbs are chopped, they are added to the boiled rice and mixed in a large pot or donabe. You can add a little salt.

The preparation is then ladled into the bowls of the whole family.

Nanakusa gayu is one of the traditional Japanese rice porridge recipes like okayu. You can serve it with tsukemono.

The Japanese imperial calendar “Gosekku” 五節句

Nanakusa no Sekku day is also called Jinjitsu no Sekku, “man’s day” is actually part of the 5 annual traditions of the Japanese imperial calendar called gosekku, 五節句. Still celebrated today, the other 4 are: