Komatsuna Day (Komatsuna no Hi)

What Is Komatsuna Day?

May 27 is known as "Komatsuna Day," based on a wordplay on "ko (5) ma (2) tsu (7) na," which sounds like "komatsuna" — a leafy green vegetable. Thanks to the catchy nature of the date, it has become recognized as a day to focus on this everyday vegetable.

Facts About Komatsuna

Komatsuna is one of the most widely eaten leafy greens in Japan. It's available year-round, making it an easy vegetable to incorporate into daily meals.

• Classification: A leafy green vegetable in the brassica (mustard) family
• Characteristics: Both the leaves and stems are eaten
• Distribution: Grown using both open-field and greenhouse cultivation methods

Facts About the Name "Komatsuna"

The name "komatsuna" is said to come from the Komatsugawa area of present-day Edogawa Ward in Tokyo, where the vegetable was historically grown — a clear example of a vegetable named after the place it originated.

Komatsuna and Edo

• It was grown in the areas surrounding Edo (old Tokyo)
• Records indicate it was even presented as a gift to the shogun
• The regional place name became the name of the vegetable itself

Komatsuna in Japanese Cuisine

Komatsuna is valued for the wide range of ways it can be cooked.

• Cooking methods: Used in boiled and dressed dishes (ohitashi), stir-fries, and soups
• Processed forms: Also sold pre-chopped or frozen
• Home cooking: Often used as an everyday side dish

Things to Think About on Komatsuna Day

• Compare komatsuna with other leafy green vegetables
• Learn about its growing season and cultivation methods
• Explore its connection to Edo-period food culture
• Look into changes in supply volume and production regions over time

A Day to Appreciate a Familiar Vegetable

Komatsuna Day on May 27 is an opportunity to pay attention to a vegetable we often eat without giving much thought. Komatsuna has deep ties to Japanese food culture and the development of agriculture near major cities. Learning about the background of a familiar ingredient can give everyday meals a richer, more three-dimensional meaning.