🍱 Kiinai Okowa

When it comes to the cuisine of Children's Day (Tango no Sekku), "Chimaki" and "Kashiwamochi" are representative, but in Aichi Prefecture, in addition to these, there is a custom of eating "Kii-nai Okowa". It is also known as "Kiihan" or "Kimeshi." While similar dishes exist in Oita and Shizuoka Prefectures, the names differ, with them being called "Ouhan" and "Someii" respectively. During Children's Day, various prayers and rituals are performed to wish for the healthy growth and well-being of boys. For example, the carp streamers ("Koinobori") are decorated to symbolize the desire for success, based on the legend that carp that swim upstream and overcome the waterfall called "Ryumon" transform into dragons. The samurai helmet and armor also have significance, representing the protection of the body. Shobu (iris) is another essential item during Children's Day, believed to ward off evil, and it is incorporated into dishes like Chimaki and Shobuyu (iris-flavored hot water). Similarly, "Kii-nai Okowa" is associated with the belief that the color yellow wards off evil, and the accompanying black beans carry prayers for good health. In the past, red rice served at celebratory occasions was considered a luxurious dish. To make a more accessible alternative, people began using kuromame (black soybeans) and kuchinashi (gardenia) seeds to color rice yellow, marking the beginning of "Kii-nai Okowa."