Good Ginseng Day (Ii Ninjin no Hi)

What Is Good Ginseng Day?

January 12th is "Ii Ninjin no Hi" (Good Ginseng Day) in Japan, established by Korea Ginseng Corporation Japan, maker and distributor of the premium Korean ginseng brand "Cheong Kwan Jang." The date comes from a pun on "i (1) i (1) ni (2) njin" ("good ginseng"), and also marks the day in 2012 when the company held its founding anniversary party.

The Purpose of the Day and Korean Ginseng

The anniversary carries a wish to help more people discover the appeal of Korean ginseng, long valued as a nourishing ingredient.

• What Korean ginseng is: the root of a plant grown mainly on the Korean Peninsula, traditionally used to support vitality and overall health
• The "Cheong Kwan Jang" brand: in the 20th century, when Korean ginseng was produced and sold as a government monopoly, the name, carrying the sense of "the genuine article," was used to distinguish it from counterfeits and imitations, and it became established as the brand name. The manufacturer, Korea Ginseng Corporation, was privatized in 1999
• Its purpose: to spread awareness of the merits of Korean ginseng; the day is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association
• A demanding crop: before sowing, growers spend one to two years preparing the soil, and after sprouting the plants must be shaded from direct sunlight, rain and wind, so cultivation is difficult and takes many years

How It Differs From an Ordinary Carrot

Hearing "Ii Ninjin no Hi," you might picture the everyday vegetable carrot, but the "ninjin" in this anniversary refers to Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), a plant in the Araliaceae family -- an entirely different plant from the carrot, a vegetable in the Apiaceae family. Korean ginseng (otane-ninjin) is native to the region from the Liaodong Peninsula in China to the Korean Peninsula, while the carrot is thought to have originated in Central Asia (around Afghanistan).

The Name "Otane-ninjin"

There are several theories about the Japanese name "otane-ninjin" (literally "honorable-seed ginseng"). A well-known one holds that the eighth Tokugawa shogun, Yoshimune, had the Tsushima domain obtain seeds and seedlings from the Korean Peninsula, succeeded in cultivating them, and then distributed the seeds to feudal lords around the country, who respectfully called it "otane." Until then, Japan had relied on imports from the Korean Peninsula.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Try a product or dish made with Korean ginseng
• Learn about the difference between Korean ginseng and the vegetable carrot
• Trace the long history of how Korean ginseng has been used since ancient times
• Think about health-supporting ingredients you could incorporate into your own routine

Ancient Wisdom About Health, Hidden Behind a Playful Pun

Behind the friendly pun of "ii ninjin" (good ginseng) lies deep respect for a plant with a long history. Let January 12th be a chance to take a fresh look at Korean ginseng as an ingredient that nurtures the body.