[SHUBUN-NO-HI] Let's spend the day with gratitude to our ancestors!

September 23rd is “SHUBUN-NO-HI”(Autumnal Equinox Day)!

It is said to be a special spiritual day in Japan, but do you know that?

Today, I would like to introduce the meaning and origin of “SHUBUN-NO-HI”(Autumnal Equinox Day) of Japan, the relationship with a traditional week-long seasonal event held in Japan “OHIGAN”, and how to spend the day.

What is “SHUBUN-NO-HI”?

“SHUBUN-NO-HI”(Autumn Equinox Day) is a Japanese holiday. It is set as the day of "respecting ancestors and mourning the dead."

Originally it was a holiday to hold the "Autumn Imperial Religious Festival" that enshrines successive emperors, empresses, and royal family members, then it became a national holiday in 1948.

In astronomy, the moment when the sun passes the autumn equinox is called "SHUBUN”(Autumn equinox), and the day including that moment is called“SHUBUN-NO-HI”(Autumn Equinox Day). On this day, the sun rises on the equator from the east and sets to the west.

The time length of day and night are almost the same, and the day becomes shorter and the night becomes longer after “SHUBUN-NO-HI”(Autumn Equinox Day).

-When is “SHUBUN-NO-HI”?

Did you know that “SHUBUN-NO-HI” is usually around September 23, and it changes from year to year? The exact date is determined by the movement of the sun, so it can change by about a day. “SHUBUN-NO-HI” is decided in the previous year. The “SHUBUN-NO-HI” for the following year will be officially decided based on the "Autumn Equinox Day" calculated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan on February 1st of the previous year from the positions of the sun and the earth.

-What is the relationship between “SHUBUN-NO-HI” and “OHIGAN”?

“OHIGAN”(The equinoctial week) is a 7-day period, including 3 days before and after, with "Vernal Equinox Day" and "Autumn Equinox Day" as the middle days. The first day is called "HIGAN-IRI”(entering the equinoctial week) and the last day is called "HIGAN-AKE”(the end of the equinoctial week).

In addition, spring is called "spring equinoctial week" and autumn is called "autumn equinoctial week", and Buddhist events held during this period are called "HIGAN-KAI”.

What is “HIGAN”?

"HIGAN"(The equinoctial week) is a Buddhist term for “the other side”. In other words, “afterlife/that world”. On the other hand, “the world we live in” is called "SHIGAN".

In Buddhism, it is said that there is an ideal world with the Buddha and the Pure Land in the west.

"SHUBUN-NO-HI aka Autumn Equinox Day" ("SHUNBUN-NO-HI aka Vernal Equinox Day"), when the sun rises from the east and sets to the west on the equator, is considered to be the day when afterlife (HIGAN) and this world (SHIGAN) are most easily to be connected. That is why, it is said that the custom of offering ancestral memorial services was rooted. Although this is a Buddhist event, it is said to be a unique custom of Japan. At the turn of the season, especially the "spring equinox" and "autumn equinox" are the times to celebrate the harvest, wishing for a good harvest. It is said that is why it was linked to the Japanese people's worship of nature and ancestral worship.

-How to spend “OHIGAN”

It is common to visit a grave during “OHIGAN”. We will clean the tombs and altars where our ancestors sleep and offer incense sticks and flowers.

Especially, "SHUBUN-NO-HI" is such a special day that it is a holiday that "respects ancestors and mourns the dead", so be sure to memorialize your ancestors and deceased people.

If you cannot visit the grave because it is too far or for some other reasons, or if you do not have a Buddhist altar at home, it is also better to think about your ancestors and deceased and spend your time with gratitude.

-SHUBUN-NO-NI’s classic "OHAGI"

"OHAGI"(a kind of rice cake) is the standard sweet to eat on "SHUBUN-NO-NI". It is customary to offer it to your ancestors and eat it.

It is said that it started around the Edo period, but why do you offer OHAGI?

One of the reasons is that the season of red beans used for sweet bean paste is autumn.

In addition, since OHAGI was a luxury item that used a lot of sugar, which was precious at that time, it was established as a thing to behave on special occasions and loved ones. There are various theories, such as the fact that red beans and red colors have long been thought to have the power to dispel evil spirits, and were thought to be a memorial service for ancestors.

Let's make it with the sweet bean paste you bought! Handmade OHAGI

Ohagi recipe

【Ingredients】

Glutinous rice ... 2 cups

Water ... 360ml

<Anko(sweet bean paste) flavor>

Anko paste(Sweet bean paste) ... About 450g

<Kinako(soybean flour) flavor>

Kinako(soybean flour) ... 2 tbsp

Sugar ... a little less than 2 tbsp

Salt ... a little

<Goma(sesame) taste>

Black sesame seeds ... 2 tbsp

Sugar ... a little less than 2 tbsp

Salt ... a little

【How to make】

①Wash glutinous rice thoroughly and soak it in water for about 1 hour

　(about twice as much as normal rice)

②Cook rice with a little water (glutinous rice 1: water 1)

③When it is cooked, remove the rough heat and make it into bale shapes

④Mix Anko, Kinako, and sesame with ingredients each and sprinkle them

　on bale-shaped glutinous rice.

※You will find Anko paste in supermarkets during this season, so please check it out!

writer : Kinako

recipe : Ai

translated by Kinako