OSEIBO - 御歳暮 - a year-end gift

What is the Oseibo?

 

The Oseibo (or Seibo) is a year-end gift. In Japan, there is a custom of presenting the gift to the indebted person in July and December. The one of July is called "Ochugen" (midyear gifts). And the other one of December is called "Oseibo".
< This "O" is a prefix applied when the word is politely paraphased. >

Oseibo are generally given in mid-December.

 

 

To whom is the Oseibo presented?

Generally, we send Oseibo to people who help us, and to express their appreciation for the kindness and assistance that we had received.

(1) The relative.

(2) The Nakoudo (matchmaker).

(3) The physicians or doctor in charge.

(4) The teacher at each learning.

(5) The superior and the customer in the company etc..

 

 

What gifts are presented as the Oseibo ?

We present the food (salmon, herring roe, crab and meat, etc.) to welcome the New Year.  

Sake, coffees, teas, the fruit, and the various commodities including soaps and detergents are also popular.

 

Doyo Ushi No Hi  -土用丑の日-

"Doyo ushi no hi" is a day in late July dedicated to eating eel. The day falls on July 30th this year. The custom began in the 18th century. It has been said since Japanese summer is hot and humid, many people suffer from natsubate (summer fatigue). It is believed that eating nutritious eel helps to increase stamina and beat the summer heat.

 

On Doyo ushi no hi, you will find eels sold in every supermarket. I'm sure, also Japanese restaurants in Düsseldorf serve grilled eel dishes on the day. Did you find "Long advertisement flags (nobori)" around the restaurant to promote sales??


I love eel. Una-jyu*, it's the one of dishes that I always eat when I go back to Japan. It is particularly good with sansho Japanese pepper. I feel hungry!

 

*Una-jyu is a Japanese cuisine consisting of unagi-kabayaki (eels broiled with a thick salty & sweet sauce) served over the cooked rice in a lacquered ware box.

*home-made unagi-oshi-zushi
yummy!

Restocking : Maneki-neko from Tokoname

Thank you for waiting, Lucky cat = Maneki-neko is now available at wafuu-honpo.com again!

 

go to shop    ⇒ Maneki-neko

International Gift Show for Spring 2016, at Big sight

I visited here this year again, and made a fruitful meeting with Japanese manufacturers.

Hope to introduce you new items at our shop soon!

 

 

Sakasa Fuji

I took the above picture at a Kawaguchi-lake side hotel, stayed there on January 2016. It's 2-3 hours train or car ride from Tokyo but once you got there and saw the lake all worth it. The hotel has a Japanese style room with big window, so, I could really enjoy to see Mt.Fuji from everywhere the room, breakfast room and big bathing area. Kawaguchi-lake is one of the place for good view of Mt.Fuji, you will see whole Mt.Fuji from the base to the top, also such a mirror view called "SAKASA-FUJI", when it's a good weather.
Are you interested in "SAKASA-FUJI"? ⇒ go to shop "SAKASA-FUJI"

Happy new year!!

Dear customer,

 

Happy belated new year 2016!!

Hope you all had a good Christmas and wishing you a new year full of success, happiness, peace, strength and fun!

 

I went back to Japan for the new year's holiday and spent a wonderful time with my family and friends. I will report you about it little by little, so please keep your eyes on our blog.

 

 

 

 

  

← It is the year of Monkey in twelve

    animal signs of the Chinese zodiac this

    year.

    * special Monkey breads are sold at a bakery in Tokyo!