Looking out on a meadow…
Hanako: Which means?
Hina: The seven herbs shepherd’s purse, javanica (Japanese parsley), cudweed, chickweed, nipplewort, radish, turnip. You go search for them out in the fields and bring them back to cook with okayu, rice porridge.
Hanako: Seven herbs on the seventh day. Significant?
Hina: Yes. To ensure health, long life, and guard against evil on the 7th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar.
_________
Voice-over
Furthermore, the effect of the tradition is said to be strengthened by arranging the nanakusa and utensils on the cutting board, face the good-luck direction, then chant "Before the birds of the continent (China) fly to Japan, let's get nanakusa" while chopping the herbs. The effect may lie not in the belief but the cultural practice to strengthen community bonds.
Hina: The seven herbs shepherd’s purse, javanica (Japanese parsley), cudweed, chickweed, nipplewort, radish, turnip. You go search for them out in the fields and bring them back to cook with okayu, rice porridge.
Hanako: Seven herbs on the seventh day. Significant?
Hina: Yes. To ensure health, long life, and guard against evil on the 7th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar.
_________
Voice-over
Furthermore, the effect of the tradition is said to be strengthened by arranging the nanakusa and utensils on the cutting board, face the good-luck direction, then chant "Before the birds of the continent (China) fly to Japan, let's get nanakusa" while chopping the herbs. The effect may lie not in the belief but the cultural practice to strengthen community bonds.
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