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Nanakusa Gayu: The Seven-Herb Porridge and Its Health Benefits

七草（ななくさ）がゆ：健康（けんこう）への願（ねが）い

  • Theme: Seasonal_Event

  • C1/N1advanced

  • May 8th, 2024

七草[ななくさ]がゆ：健康[けんこう]への願[ねが]い

単語（Vocabulary）

  • 訪れ

    arrival（Noun）

    桜が咲き、春の訪れにわくわくしています。

    The cherry blossoms are in bloom and we are excited about the arrival of spring.

  • 古来

    ancient times（Noun）

    この町には古来から伝わる風習がたくさんあります。

    The town has many customs that have been handed down since ancient times.

  • 邪気

    evil spirits（Noun）

    邪気を払うためのお祓いが行われた。

    An exorcism was held to ward off evil spirits.

  • 解熱

    fever reduction（Noun）

    なかなか熱が下がらないので、解熱剤を飲んだ。

    The fever did not go down easily, so I took an anti-fever medicine.

  • 消化

    digestion（Noun）

    熱が下がったばかりなので、消化に良い食事をとるようにしています。

    The fever has just broken and I am trying to eat a diet that is easy for digestion.

  • 殺菌

    sterilization（Noun）

    殺菌の効果があるハンドソープを買った。

    I bought a hand soap that has a sterilizing effect.

  • 由来

    origin（Noun）

    この祭りの由来を知っていますか。

    Do you know the origin of this festival?

記事（Article）

七草がゆ：健康への願い

Nanakusa Gayu: The Seven-Herb Porridge and Its Health Benefits

  1. 新年の訪れと共に、日本の家庭で大切にされている伝統があります。それは、「七草がゆ」の習慣です。このおかゆには、早春に芽を出す「春の七草」が加えられ、古来より邪気を払い、年間を通じての健康を願う食べ物とされています。
  2. 「春の七草」とは、セリ、ナズナ（ペンペン草）、ゴギョウ、ハコベラ、ホトケノザ、スズナ（カブ）、スズシロ（ダイコン）を指します。セリは鉄分(iron)やビタミンC (vitamin C)を豊富に含み、その香りの良さからも親しまれています。ナズナは貧血 (anemia) に効果があるとされ、冬の間、貴重な野菜として重宝されました。ゴギョウは風邪の予防や解熱効果があり、かつては草餅の材料としても用いられていました。ハコベラはたんぱく質 (protein)が豊富で、ホトケノザは食物繊維(fiber)を多く含み、たんぽぽに似た外見が特徴です。スズナはお腹の調子をよくしたり肌をきれいにする効果が期待できます。そしてスズシロは消化を促し、殺菌作用もあると言われています。
  3. この風習の由来は、古代の中国にさかのぼります。一月七日に七種類の野菜が入った汁物を食べることで、病気にならずに生活できることを願うという習慣があり、これが日本に伝わったのです。春の七草を取り入れることで、新年早々に自然の恵みを体に取り込み、健康で豊かな一年を願う日本人の知恵が、七草がゆに込められています。
English Translation
  1. With the arrival of the New Year, there is a tradition cherished in Japanese households. It is the custom of "Nanakusa-gayu." This porridge includes the "seven herbs of spring" that sprout early in spring, and has been considered a food that dispels evil spirits and wishes for health throughout the year since ancient times.
  2. The "seven herbs of spring" refer to Seri, Nazuna (shepherd's purse), Gogyo, Hakobera, Hotokenoza, Suzuna (turnip), and Suzushiro (radish). Seri is rich in iron and Vitamin C and is loved for its pleasant fragrance. Nazuna has been considered effective for anemia and was treasured as a valuable vegetable during winter. Gogyo has effects for preventing colds and reducing fever, and was also used as an ingredient for Kusamochi in the past. Hakobera is rich in protein, and Hotokenoza contains a lot of dietary fiber and is characterized by its appearance similar to a dandelion. Suzuna is expected to improve stomach discomfort and have effects on beautiful skin, while Suzushiro is said to promote digestion and have antibacterial properties.
  3. The origin of this custom can be traced back to ancient China. There was a habit of eating a soup containing seven kinds of vegetables on January 7th to wish for good health and a life free of illness, which was transmitted to Japan. Incorporating the spring seven herbs, the wisdom of the Japanese who wish for a healthy and prosperous year by taking in the blessings of nature early in the new year is encapsulated in Nanakusa-gayu.
セリ

セリ

草餅[くさもち]

草餅

たんぽぽ

たんぽぽ

汁物[しるもの]

汁物

春[はる]の七草[ななくさ]

春の七草

質問（Question）

記事の内容について答えてください

  1. 七草がゆは、いつ食べられますか。
  2. 七草がゆに含まれる「春の七草」にはどのようなものがありますか。
  3. セリにはどのような栄養素が含まれていますか。
  4. 七草がゆを食べることの主な目的は何ですか。
English Translation
  1. When do you eat Nanakusa-gayu?
  2. What are the seven spring herbs included in Nanakusa-gayu?
  3. What nutrients are contained in Japanese parsley?
  4. What is the main purpose of eating Nanakusa-gayu?

議論（Discussion）

講師と話しましょう！

  1. 七草がゆを食べてみたいですか。
  2. あなたの国にも、七草がゆのような新年の健康を願う食べ物はありますか。
  3. 七草がゆ以外で、日本の伝統的な食べ物で興味があるものはありますか。
  4. あなたの国や日本以外の国の、健康を願う食べ物や習慣について知っていますか。
English Translation
  1. Would you like to try Nanakusa-gayu?
  2. Is there any food like Nanakusa-gayu in your country to wish for good health in the New Year?
  3. Are there any other traditional Japanese foods other than Nanakusa-gayu that you are interested in?
  4. Do you know about health foods and customs other than Japan and your country?
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