The Very First Dish for YOU

-Today's menu-
*roasted red sea bream
*umeboshi
*Japanese clam soup
*pebbles

Here it is!!!!

Can you imagine whose dish is banquet?
This is the dish that your mother and father might have prepared for YOU!!!
Do you remember the very first food that you ate when you were baby?
Me? Of course NOT ;D

Have you ever heard the word "Okui-zome"?
This is the time you ate something for the first time in your life. Strictly speaking, at that time you just pretend to eat. Did you know that?

Why I'm telling you about it is because my niece has just finished this event on Feb 19. As well as I have two nephews, I also have niece ! She has white skin and cute eyes.. sooo lovely......
Anyway! She will be the today's main heroin of my blog.


-What is "Okui-zome"-
This event is heald to celebtate children's growth and to pray for their future health especially for their food life. Traditionally, it is taken place at 100 days after birth. Though babies can't chew anything to eat yet, parents will serve tons of food for babies. In Japan, there are some food which has a "meaning".
For example, we eat herring roe in New Year's Day because it symbolizes a wish to be gifted with children. As well as that, what I listed on the biginning has also have special meaning for each.

*roasted red sea bream

The Japanese word for red sea bream, "tai"sounds similar to the word "mede-tai". What is more, it is auspiciously red in color.

*Japanese pickled plam

pickled plam has a lot of "wrinkles" on the surface. People wish for baby will enjoy a long life-span until they get lots of wrinkles.

*Japanese clam soup

Usally, there are two shells for each and clam-shell marking is exactry same. So the reason why people make clam soup is to hope that baby share a long and happy life with her or his partner forever.

*pebbles

Of course they don't make babies eating the pebbles actually. Pebbles are just put on the table. There is also has a meaning for it; wish for their strong teeth. It is so interesting, isn't it?

There are many kinds of food and ther reasons depends on the are. Here is the only the typical example of the event. Anyway, now you know much about "Okui-zome". So I'll give you a title to "Doctor Okui-zome";)


Lastly, I'll put some pictures of my niece's "Okui-zome"

The person who gives her food is my grand mother. she is also cute, isn't she?
Looks she is satisfied with her first meal:)


I think ther are similar events in other countries. Have you ever heard about it? If yes, please share your information for me.

I'm also wating the message that "your niece is as lovely as you!!" like that ;)

Hope you will prepare well when your babies become 100 days after birth!