Yoshie Doi

　I made this red bean porridge on a cold and snowy day, January 8, 2024.

In the lunar calendar, the waxing and waning of the moon was the standard, and the first full moon of the year was January 15th in the lunar calendar. After the Meiji era and the new calendar, January 1st became the start of the year. Therefore, New Year’s Day, January 1st, came to be called Taishogatsu, and January 15th, Koshogatsu.

　Since the Edo period, red bean porridge has been cooked on January 15th. This azuki bean porridge is also written in “Morisada Mankou.” Red bean porridge is believed to ward off evil spirits, and people eat red bean porridge to pray for the health of their families.

　Also, the cold winter in Kyoto is so cold that even Hokkaido feels different. Eating it during the coldest period will also warm your body. I heard from a farmer that in the past, red beans were planted in the four corners of the field to ward off evil spirits. It is said that the red color of red beans wards off evil spirits.

　Since this azuki bean porridge is also mentioned in “Tosa Nikki” and “Makura no Soshi”, it is thought that azuki bean porridge has been eaten on January 15 since the Heian period.

　There is also a sense of praising women who have been busy preparing for the New Year, so please eat red bean porridge on January 15th, when you have sekihan, which is a special meal for special occasions, and during the small new year, when you pray for the health of your family.

The end of document

Translated by Masami Otani

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