17th May – 皐月
お食い初め(Okuizome) is for the new born children to cerebrate their first food they eat.
Okuizome is held around 100 – 120 days after the baby was born, it’s around the time when milk teeth come out. But of course at this age, babies cannot eat foods that adult eat, thus parents / grand parents just pretend to give the food using chopsticks for this ritual. By doing so, family wish for the baby’s health and hope he / she will never suffer from hunger.
The general menu for Okuizome can be 一汁三菜 (Ichijuu Sansai) Style = one soup with 3 side dishes. Often case can be:
-お頭付き魚 (Okashira Tsuki Sakana) fish with head
-赤飯(Sekihan) steamed rice with red beans
-煮物 (Nimono) boiled food
-吸い物 (Suimono) clear broth soup
This ritual has been done since Heian period and still exist nowadays! In Heian period they used rice cake instead of those foods. In old time, due to malnutrition and unsanitary condition, it was harder for babies to survive compare to now. Therefore, people in the past tend to believe wishing for certain circumstances at the point of lifetimes, especially younger age.
Little Japan Dictionary 
Damn!
Finally.
After 15 days of reading and following your blog.
I found one Japanese Tradition similar to Nepal.
Yes Yes Yes!
We call it भात खुवाई (Bhat khuwai) expect chopstick we use our hands to feed little kid. Thanks to the creator.
Nation might differs but values remain same. Some means bind two country people.
(P.S How you manage to hold chopstick. Once I tried it pains. I ate only 1% food others 99% food the table ate)
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That is very cool to know we have the similar traditional ritual!
For the chopsticks usage, my blog (26th April) might be helpful:) I was very bad at using it when I was in elementary school but after few years of experience it got better! Hope you can master it before traveling to Japan!
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Yes, and Whether you say it or not I will visit your every blog.
I am on a mission to be a Japanese fact expert here in Nepal. I am sure you will Help.
If That upper lord wants I will definitely visit your place.
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I am grateful that I can help for you becoming the Japanese culture expert! Now I have more motivation to make blogs as I have a great follower:)
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