Today’s Japanese word is “Toshikoshi-soba” (buckwheat noodles eaten on New Year’s Eve).
“Toshikoshi soba” are the “lucky charm” eaten in the last day of the year.
The origin of “Toshikoshi soba” is in the middle of the Edo period. At that time, it was a custom that had spread from Edo.
Why is “soba” eaten in New Year’s Eve?
There are various opinions.
1) The “soba” is easier to cut than other noodles.
They ate in the meaning “to cut off an troubles of this year”.
2) The “soba” is good for health.
They thought, “soba” removed a poison of a body.
3) “Soba” is long and thin.
“Soba” is long and thin.
So, they think the length of “soba” is similar to “a long time”.
Therefore “Soba” means “Best regards long time”.
In New Year’s Eve, the popular restaurants of “soba” are very prospers.
The easy “instant soba” is also popular.
Do you eat “Toshikoshi-soba” this year?
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