Rice Day

What Is Rice Day?

The 18th of every month is "Rice Day" in Japan, but August 18th is especially fitting for this anniversary, coming just after the traditional start of autumn. It was established from the fact that the kanji for "rice" (米) breaks down into the numbers "eighty-eight" (八十八).

The Respect for Rice Held in the Number "Eighty-Eight"

It has long been known that the character for "rice" is made up of the components for "eight," "ten," and "eight."

• Its origin: tied to the fact that breaking down the kanji for "rice" (米) yields the characters for "eight," "ten," and "eight" -- together reading "eighty-eight"
• Its meaning: said to represent the eighty-eight steps of labor believed necessary to grow rice to harvest, expressing gratitude for farmers' hard work
• Rice in Japanese food culture: rice cultivation forms the foundation of Japanese food culture, and rice remains the staple food supporting daily meals today

A Connection to "Hachijuhachiya," the 88th Night

"Hachijuhachiya," the 88th day counted from Risshun, is another important calendar day long used as a marker for rice cultivation and other farm work. The single character for "rice" carries within it this long relationship between the Japanese people and rice farming.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Learn about the origin and variety of the rice you usually eat
• Take a moment to reflect on the process behind every single grain of rice
• Cook a dish that puts rice front and center, like onigiri or takikomi gohan
• Look up recipes for using up leftover rice

Gratitude for Eighty-Eight Steps of Labor, in a Single Grain

Every grain of rice we eat without a second thought carries within it the many steps of labor put in by those who grow it. Let August 18th be a chance to reflect on that, and truly savor the gift of rice.