2015.7.24

It was a strange weather. It was fine in the morning but rained with thunder and lightening in the afternoon which caused the signal trouble and the trains delayed on my way home.

Today is doyo no ushi no hi (土用の丑の日), the day of ox during the hottest period in summer. On this day we eat grilled eel to build up our stamina.

There are two ox days this summer.

TGIF

2014.7.29

It was fine and hot.

Today is doyo no ushi no hi (土用の丑の日), the day of ox during the dog days.  On this day there is a custom to eat eel.  Eel is unagi (鰻).  We usually eat it as either unadon (鰻丼) or unaju (鰻重).  Unadon means unagi (鰻) and donburi (丼), eel and bowl.  It is a rice bowl topped with grilled eel with sweetened soy-based sauce.   Unajyu is set in a tiered food box called jyubako (重箱).  Both tastes are the same but different in style.  Unajyu may look more sophisticated and expensive. 

The history of eating eel on that day started in the early 19th century.