What is setsubun?

Setsubun 節分 is a Japanese celebration best known for the traditional scattering of beans, a custom particularly popular among Japanese children – the older boys or other members of the family wear oni 鬼 (ogre, devil) masks, and the younger…

Osechi

Japanese festivals and food

As in many other parts of the World, most traditional Japanese festivals and contemporary holidays have deep roots in ancient folklore and religion. What is of particular interest to me is how Japanese traditional cuisine, washoku, seems to be linked…

Kaki, the Japanese persimmon

Persimmon, or kaki 柿 in Japanese – and other languages, including Italian! – is one of the national fruits of Japan. Having been brought to the Archipelago in the 7th or 8th century AD, the long history of this fruit…