It has been 11 days since the summer solstice. Today is the day of Hangesho, which marks the beginning of the miscellaneous season that lasts until the 6th of the month. The miscellaneous seasons are seasonal divisions that correspond to the 24 solar terms. After finishing the rice planting, people take a breather and enjoy their favorite foods while looking at the lush green rice that has grown. It is a day that serves as a guideline for agricultural activities, focusing on the farming season. Around this time, the Katashirokusa plant, which was planted in the garden, is said to turn half-white, resembling someone wearing makeup, which is why it is called Hangesho. It seems that it changed from “半化粧 (Hangesho)” (half makeup) to “半夏生 (Hangesho)” to symbolize that summer is still only halfway through. In the Kansai region, there is a tradition of eating octopus on this day to invigorate oneself, and it seems to have become a widely practiced custom throughout the country. Each region has its own food to eat on the day of Hangesho, such as udon in Kagawa Prefecture, known for its udon noodles, and mackerel in Fukui Prefecture, known for its mackerel.

早いもので夏至の日から数えて11日が経ちました。今日は半夏生の日です。詳しくは６日までの雑節「半夏生」の初日です。雑節は二十四節気に準じる節気で、田植えも終えてホッと一息、青々と伸びて来た稲を見ながら好きな物でも食べて一休み。農歳時期を中心に考えた農事の目安にする日です。ちょうどこの頃、庭に植えたカタシログサ(片白草)が、その名の通り半分白くなって、お化粧をした様に見える事から半夏生の名が付いたと言われています。夏もまだ半分と言う意味を掛けて、半化粧を半夏生に変えたんでしょうね。関西では、この日にタコを食べて英気を養う習慣がありますが、今では広く全国的な習慣になっている様です。うどん処香川県ではうどん、さば処福井県ではさばと言う風に各地それぞれに、半夏生の日に食べる食材がある様です。