Okuizome

Okuizome is a Japanese traditional ceremony held on either 100th, 110th or 120th day after the baby's birth. "Okui" means "eating" and "Zome" means "first," and people make the baby pretend to eat his/her first meal. We cerebrate this day with hopes that the baby will never suffer from lack of foods throughout his/her life.

We prepare for a special meal on this day including osekihan (red bean rice - typical cerebration rice,) osuimono (soup - for our wishes of that baby will have strong jaw,) a Tai (red snapper - typical cerebration fish,) other vegetable dishes, and 3 stones (baby won't eat them but they are for our wishes of that baby's teeth will be strong enough to break the stones).

For Milo, May 13th was his 120th day after his birth and his 4 months birthday, so we had his okuizome on that day. There are lots of rules and ways to follow for the real traditions in addition to stuff I mentioned above, but we did our best that we can do in the US. However, most importantly, we had best wishes for Milo's future and we were so happy that he is growing healthy.

Here are some pictures from the ceremony. Look at Milo, he dressed well!