🍲 Otsubo (Simmered Red Beans and Japanese Taro)

Around the death anniversary of Shinran, the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (January 16th), every branch of Jodo Shinshu holds the biggest event called "Hoonko" from autumn to the New Year, and the event is called "honko-san" or "okosama" in Fukui Prefecture. This event is to commemorate the founder Shinran and to appreciate his doctrine and virtue. "Otsubo" is one of "shojin ryori" (vegan cuisine for Buddhist monks) to be served to people joining the event, and served with "ozen" (four-legged small tray to serve meals) at "Hoonko". It is s traditional rule to put simmered red beans and satoimo (Japanese taro) into an "otsubo" (food pot). It is said that red bean was Shinran's favorite food and his disciple monk Dochin often offered mochi with red beans to him. Therefore, there are several "shojin ryori" using red beans from various regions beside "Otsubo" at "Hoonko".