Toji

Toji, the winter solstice in Japan, naturally falls on the shortest day of the year. Bathing is a common practice, whether it is in the comfort of one's own accommodations or at a natural hot spring onsen. Many Japanese also take a yuzu-yu, or yuzu bath at home. Throwing a few of these full citrus fruits—prized for their cleansing and healing properties—is said to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.

Toji has its roots in the Chinese philosophy of ying and yang, which represents the balance and harmony of the life force. The shortest day of the year is thought to be when cold and darkness, or "yin," are most prevalent. The 'yang' of warmth and light will be here after the yin is gone, and spring will be back in a short while. In order to celebrate the winter solstice, Japanese people embrace the cold weather before having a hot bath and saying a prayer for good health before eating auspicious foods.

During Toji, in some prefectures, itokoni—a simmered dish made of adzuki beans and kabocha, the latter a winter staple—is very popular. Kabocha itself is considered lucky. Additionally, the red color of the beans—often seen during Japanese celebrations—is believed to guard against evil. Renkon, a different solstice meal, derives from the unmori linguistic practice. The word "u-n," which means fortune in Japanese, rhymes with the sound of the letter "n." Therefore, Renkon is also usually prepared during Toji.