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Midsummer Ox Day

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Grilled eel
Grilled eel

Midsummer Ox Day (どようのうしのひ)is the day associated with the Ox sign in the traditional Japanese calendar.[1] The most famous Ox Day in Japan (one or two days with an interval of 12 days) are on the hottest time of the year (late July – early August),[2] which is also characterized by high humidity.[3] The main dish of this day is kabayaki, baked or fried eel (unagi) with sweet teriyaki sauce.[3] This high-fat food is said to help maintain strength during this hot season.

Origin of tradition

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The earliest mention of the association of cooked eel with summer heat is in the Man'yōshū anthology of Japanese poetry (8th century). In Otomono Yakamochi's poem, it is explained that in order not to lose weight due to the summer heat, cooked eel will be beneficial for health.[4]

Year First day Second day
2004 21 July 2 August
2005 28 July
2006 23 July 4 August
2007 30 July
2008 24 July 5 August
2009 19 July 31 July
2010 26 July
2011 21 July 2 August
2012 27 July
2013 22 July 3 August
2014 29 July
2015 24 July 5 August
2016 30 July
2017 25 July 6 August
2018 20 July 1 August
2019 27 July
2020 21 July 2 August
2021 28 July
2022 23 July 4 August
2023 30 July
2024 24 July 5 August
2025 19 July 31 July
2026 26 July
2027 21 July 2 August

References

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  1. ^ Японское летосчисление — whitemouse.ru
  2. ^ «Доё уси-но хи» — день, когда едят жареных угрей , — www.tasteofjapan.ru
  3. ^ a b "НИППОНИЯ № 34 15 сентября 2005 г." Archived from the original on 2011-03-26. Retrieved 2013-01-12.
  4. ^ Япония: О некоторых (13 из 24) — День быка и угорь , — www.abroadmag.ru