On December 22, 2021, Japan celebrated the winter solstice (冬至), the shortest day of the year. Traditionally, Japanese people would celebrate the day with a yuzu bath—perfumed with the whole citrus fruit or cut pieces encased in a bag. However, nowadays, people might not pursue the tradition at home. Still, some sento (public baths) and onsen (hot springs) offer yuzu baths to their customers.
It is said the tradition helps bring good fortune and ward off colds. What we can say for sure is that you’ll smell good after dipping in a bath filled with citrus oil! Even Kentucky Fried Chicken’s Colonel Sanders does it.
No yuzu at home? No worries, @37motor came up with a solution to enjoy a citrusy bath using yuzu paste. We’re not sure the result will be quite the same, though!
Finger lickin’ yuzu
＼今日は #冬至 ／
冬至といえば、#柚子湯
起源は諸説あるようですが厄払いとして始まったそう。
ゆずの香りを楽しみながら、心も身体もぽかぽかに
クリスマスに向けて、カーネルも今日はチキンと仲良く柚子風呂のようです
“Today is the winter solstice.
Speaking of the winter solstice, #yuzu-bath [is typical].
There are many theories about its origin, but it seems to have started as a way to ward off bad luck.
Enjoy the scent of yuzu and warm up your body and soul!
In preparation for Christmas, Colonel Sanders seems to be taking a yuzu bath with his chicken today!”
The cheaper alternative
冬至
“Winter solstice”
Expressing ‘speaking of…’
The phrase といえば, which can be written alternatively with and without kanji (と言えば), helps bring up typical examples or associations with the subject in a conversation. You can roughly translate the expression with “speaking of…” or “when you say…” For instance, when you chat about spring in Japan, the image coming to mind is likely to be cherry trees and hanami.
来年のことを言えば鬼が笑う: “Talk about next year and the devil will laugh.”
Here are some examples:
- といえばだ: “Spring means cherry blossoms.”
- といえばもうすぐバレンタインだね: “Speaking of February, Valentine’s Day is coming soon.”
- といえば、もうすぐクリスマスですね: “Speaking of December, Christmas will soon be here!”
- のといえば、おせちですね: “When it comes to the Japanese New Year, osechi dishes are a must.”
Learning about といえば also offers the opportunity to learn a Japanese proverb:
- のことを言えばがう: “Talk about next year and the devil will laugh (meaning no one can predict the future).”
Vocabulary
Japanese Romaji English 今日 kyou Today 冬至 touji Winter solstice 柚子湯 yuzuyu Bath perfumed with yuzu fruit 起源 kigen Origin, have its root (in…) 諸説 shosetsu Rumor, theory 厄払い yakuharai Exorcism, drive out evil 香り kaori A scent or odor (positive) ぽかぽか pokapoka Pleasantly warm, nice and warm 仲良い nakayoi A good relationship, intimate
