🍱 Honkosan/Houonko ryori

In Fukui Prefecture, Buddhism, especially Jodo Shinshu, has long been a fervent religion, and from around the anniversary of the founder Shinran Shonin's death (November 28th of the lunar calendar, January 16th of the new calendar) through the New Year, Hoonko, the largest annual event of the Jodo Shinshu sect, is held in various places. In Fukui Prefecture, it is called "Honkosan" or "Oko-sama. It is meant to honor Shinran's teachings and to express gratitude for his virtues. Hoonkosan can be held at temples, homes, or community halls. During the Hoonko period, a vegetarian meal called "otsuki" is served to those gathered for lunch between the morning and afternoon services and dinner, which is based on a one-soup, three-course meal of seasonal harvest (vegetables and grains) and beans (deep-fried tofu and tofu). This is called " Houonko ryori" (Houonko cuisine). Houonko ryori are not eaten only at temples, but are prepared and served to many people, mainly by local women, during Buddhist services and festivals. Houonkou ryori is also served on the dinner table in everyday life, and has taken root in home cooking as a "taste of the hometown.