2025 Nanakusa: Japanese Festival of Seven Herbs: An Ancient Japanese Tradition Celebrated on January 7thNEW

Nanakusa: Japanese Festival of Seven Herbs - East Berry. Start the New Year on a healthy note! Celebrate the Japanese Festival of Seven Herbs, a tradition that promotes well-being through nature’s bounty. This cultural program introduces participants to the lore of Japanese herbs, their culinary and symbolic significance, and practical ways to incorporate them into your life. Attendees will also leave with a recipe and a fresh herb plant to continue the tradition at home.

Japanese cuisine is celebrated worldwide for its emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients, artistic presentation, and simplicity. This event highlights these values while connecting to the cultural heritage of the Japanese New Year.

Organized by the Fort Worth Public Library, this adult-focused program fosters cultural exploration and conversation, enriching the vibrant community of Fort Worth.

Date and Time
Tuesday, January 14, 2025 | 05:00 pm - 06:00 pm

Location
Fort Worth Public Library - East Berry, 4300 E. Berry St., Fort Worth, TX 76105

Costs
Free

Contact
817-392-5470 | library@fortworthtexas.gov

About 
The Japanese Festival of Seven Herbs, or Nanakusa no Sekku (七草の節句), is an ancient Japanese tradition celebrated on January 7th as part of the New Year festivities. It involves eating a rice porridge called nanakusa-gayu (七草粥), which is made with seven specific spring herbs. This practice is believed to promote health and well-being for the year ahead.

The seven herbs, known as nanakusa, traditionally include:
1. Seri (芹) - Japanese parsley (Oenanthe javanica)
2. Nazuna (薺) - Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
3. Gogyo (御形) - Cudweed (Gnaphalium affine)
4. Hakobera (繁縷) - Chickweed (Stellaria media)
5. Hotokenoza (仏の座) - Nipplewort (Lapsana apogonoides)
6. Suzuna (菘) - Turnip (Brassica rapa)
7. Suzushiro (蘿) - Daikon radish (Raphanus sativus)

The festival has roots in ancient China but evolved uniquely in Japan as part of Shinto and Buddhist traditions. Eating nanakusa-gayu is thought to:
• Give rest to the stomach after the indulgent New Year's feast.
• Provide early seasonal greens to replenish nutrients.
• Ward off evil spirits and sickness in the coming year.

It’s both a culinary and cultural event, combining appreciation for nature’s cycles with a focus on health and simplicity.

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