Gourd Day
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What Is Gourd Day?
August 8th is "Gourd Day" (Hyotan no Hi) in Japan. The date comes from the resemblance between the numeral "8" and the pinched, hourglass shape of a hyotan (bottle gourd). It was established by the All Japan Gourd Lovers Association.
A Cherished Good-Luck Charm Since Ancient Times
The bottle gourd is a plant of the cucumber family. With the flesh removed and the shell dried, its fruit has been used around the world as a container for water or sake. In Japan, gourds have also long been loved as decorations and good-luck charms.
- Origin: the shape of the numeral "8" closely resembles the pinched silhouette of a gourd
- As a lucky charm: a wordplay on "six gourds" (mu-byo, sounding like "no illness") makes gourds a popular charm for household health and safety
- A historical connection: the warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi is famously associated with the "sennari-byotan" (thousand gourds); he is said to have used a golden gourd as his umajirushi, a standard that marked the commander's position on the battlefield (whether the "thousand gourds" itself was used as a standard is disputed)
- Word origins: gourds are also called "hisago" or "fukube," and the word "hishaku" (ladle) is said to come from "hisago"
From Everyday Vessel to Craft Object
Once used as a practical container for water or sake, gourds are promoted today by the Zen-Nihon Aihyo-kai (All Japan Gourd Lovers Association), which spreads gourd growing and crafting techniques. They are popular both as dried, crafted decorative objects and as ornamental plants people enjoy growing at home.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Look for gourd-themed crafts or goods
- Learn about how to grow bottle gourds
- Explore the historical connection between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the sennari-byotan
- Display a gourd at home as a good-luck charm
A Pinched Shape That Carries Wishes for Ever-Widening Fortune
Sharing the same rounded curves as the numeral 8, the gourd has long carried people's hopes and wishes. August 8th is a day to discover the surprising depth behind this familiar shape.