「お屠蘇」
Do you know about Japanese New Year’s Sake? It is called “Toso” and has been traditionally drunk in Japan during the New Year. At 4T-AMKY, Teachers and Students write about Japanese culture, food, history, many spots to visit, and other stuff. Enjoy reading and knowing about deeper Japanese culture!
Traditional Japanese New Year’s Sake
Tososan
On the day of the December Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine) study group, I received a packet with Toso written on it from my teacher.
When I opened it, there was a Tososan packaged in a tea filter bag inside. Looking at the cover puts me in a joyful mood.
When I peeled off the outer paper, it looked like this. It seems easy to make Toso!
How to make Toso.
What is Toso?
Toso is traditional Japanese New Year’s sake. Each family drinks the sake over the first three days of the year, wishing for a healthy and illness-free year ahead. It is made by steeping the Tososan in sake. This herbal medicine is believed to be based on the prescription of Kada, a renowned physician from ancient China during the Wei Dynasty.
Herbal ingredients of Tososan
This is the content inside the bag. It contains several types of herbal ingredients. Chimpi (dried tangerine peel) and Keihi (cinnamon) are included, giving it a delightful fragrance.
In the past, each family used to make Toso during the New Year and celebrate the start of the new year.
Origin
According to the explanation written on the Toso packet, it is said to have originated around 1,100 years ago during the reign of Emperor Saga. A person named Somei from Tang China presented Tososan as a sacred medicine to the emperor. The tradition began when the emperor soaked the Tososan in sake and drank it as a ceremonial drink after a ritual in the first three days of the New Year. Over time, this practice spread among the people as a New Year’s ritual to ward off evil spirits and diseases, welcoming a year of happiness.
On New Year’s Day
Tonight (12/31), I will steep this Tososan in sake, and tomorrow morning, I will add Mirin (sweet cooking sake) and drink. I am going to enjoy the tradition passed down through the ages and pray for a peaceful year for people around the world.
「伝統的なお正月のお酒」
屠蘇散
１２月の漢方の勉強会の日に先生から屠蘇散（とそさん）を頂きました。
中を開けるとティーバッグタイプの屠蘇散が入っています。
表紙を見ると、おめでたい気分になってきますね。
表の紙をはがすと、こんな感じです。お屠蘇がティーバッグで簡単に作れそうです！
屠蘇
お屠蘇とは、正月三が日に、１年の無病息災と健康を祈願してのみ交わすお酒です。屠蘇散という漢方薬をお酒に浸して作ります。この漢方薬は、古代中国の魏の名医、華陀の処方と言われます。
中身
ティーバッグの中身です。数種類の生薬（しょうやく）が入っています。陳皮（チンピ）：みかんの皮や桂皮（ケイヒ）：シナモンも入っていて、とても良い香りです。
由来
昔は、お正月には家ごとに、必ずお屠蘇を戴（いただ）き、一家揃って新年のお祝いをしたそうです。
お屠蘇の袋に書かれている由来によると、嵯峨天皇（1,100有年前）の時代に唐の蘇明（そうめい）という人が、屠蘇散を天皇へ霊薬として献上しました。天皇が元旦より三が日、儀式の後にその屠蘇散を御酒（おみき）に浸して用いられたのが始まりです。その後、正月三が日の儀式として、その年の邪疫症魔（わるいはやりやまい）を除き、幸福（しあわせ）の年を迎えるとして、国民にも広まったようです。
明日は元旦
今夜は、この屠蘇散をお酒に浸して、明日の朝みりんを加えていただきます。古くから伝わる習慣を楽しみながら、そして、世界中の人の平和な一年を祈願して。
Aki.Sawaguchi.
