🍲 Chanko Nabe
"Chanko-nabe," believed to have originated in the Meiji era (1868-1912), refers to a hearty stew commonly consumed by Sumo wrestlers. This dish is essential for sumo wrestlers as it provides the substantial sustenance necessary to build their bodies. By using a variety of ingredients such as meat, vegetables, and seafood, a good broth is produced, the ingredients soak up the flavor, and a delicious, nutritious "Nabe" (=hot pot) can be easily prepared. In the old days, it is said that people avoided using four-legged meat. Since putting one's hands on the ground is associated with losing, sumo wrestlers avoided beef and pork meat for good luck. The history of sumo, considered a traditional Japanese cultural practice, spans over 1500 years. Legends of strength competitions and matches in the presence of the Emperor are documented in ancient texts such as the "Kojiki" and "Nihon Shoki" (=The Chronicles of Japan). Sumo was also performed as a ritualistic festival to predict agricultural harvests. Sumo became a profession during the Edo period. By the mid-Edo period, Sumo was being performed regularly, and along with Kabuki, it became a popular pastime for the common people.