Japanese Picnic Etiquette and History

Here, the greatest number of picnics are held in the spring during the period of admiring the blooming sakura - hanami. The two main components of hanami: seasonal products with the addition of sakura or in the form of sakura flowers and picnics under the blooming sakura.

It's summer now, which means it's time to talk about picnics. Very often, a picnic is associated with the summer season. But in Japan, it is a little different. Here, the greatest number of picnics are held in the spring during the period of admiring the blooming sakura - hanami. The two main components of hanami: seasonal products with the addition of sakura or in the form of sakura flowers and picnics under the blooming sakura.

This custom first arose among the nobility during the Nara period (710-794). The first grand hanami festival was organized by Emperor Saga in 812. Japanese aristocrats spent many hours under flowering trees, enjoying exquisite drinks and reading Japanese poetry.

To hold a picnic, you need to prepare in advance. This is an important part of the hanami etiquette. First of all, the items that you need to bring to the park are determined. First of all, it is a vinyl mat, since it is customary to sit directly on the ground during a picnic.

When the capital was moved from Kyoto to Edo (modern Tokyo), cherry blossoms were brought from the city of Nara and planted in the capital's Ueno Park. Today, it is the most popular place in Tokyo to admire the cherry blossoms and have picnics under the blossoming trees, of which there are currently more than 2,000.

To hold a picnic, you need to prepare in advance. This is an important part of the hanami etiquette. First of all, the items that you need to bring to the park are determined. First of all, it is a vinyl mat, since it is customary to sit directly on the ground during a picnic.

Secondly, a folding table on which you can put drinks and food. It is also recommended to take a small blanket, because the weather is quite cool in the spring. And from the point of view of etiquette, ladies can cover their knees with it, it looks more aesthetically pleasing. People come to hanami with relatives, friends, and colleagues. So there is an opportunity to visit spring picnics several times.

What is usually eaten during a picnic: food and drinks. Food is usually o-bento, and drinks can be both non-alcoholic and alcoholic. O-bento are portioned boxes with food, which I will talk about later.

During picnics it is very pleasant to open bento and see that everything was prepared with creativity and imagination. Thus, beautiful and aesthetic compositions are obtained. Of course, this is always a complimentary topic for small talk.

As for alcoholic drinks, you should always remember that the purpose of the holiday is to admire the blossoming sakura, feel harmony with nature, communicate with loved ones, and not to taste a large number of alcoholic drinks. Of course, anything can happen. You should also definitely bring garbage bags. At the end of the picnic, everything should remain as clean as it was before the picnic.

Let’s talk about o-bento. Bento it is the joy of a traditional Japanese lunch and picnic. O-bento is an important part of the daily diet of the Japanese. Of course, it is also customary to prepare such boxes with food for picnics.

Traditionally, bento is meant to be a meal for one person. When picnics are organized, it is agreed who will cook what, and accordingly, bento is for several people. What unites bento? That it is always a surprise. ⠀ According to the rules of table etiquette, the ingredients are prepared with great attention to detail. It is important to consider the color, the placement of products in the box, the balance of nutrients, etc… — everything should be harmonious. To add variety, a number of simple and at the same time unusual kitchen utensils are also used.

Depending on the season, it is customary to make figurines from food, for example, cherry blossoms if it is spring. In summer - sunflowers and roses. In autumn in the form of bright maple leaves. In winter with a Christmas theme. Yes, in Japan there are picnics in winter, this is usually on the island of Okinawa, where the air temperature does not fall below 15 degrees Celsius.

Bento is usually wrapped in traditional furoshiki shawls (square pieces of fabric), the pattern of which is recommended to match the season.

The obligatory components of bento are rice, meat or fish, pickled, boiled or fresh vegetables. Also, for picnics, fruits and beans are often put in bento. Lovers of bread, cheese and sausages also put these ingredients in their boxes, because it is important that it is tasty, beautiful, and that the food is liked.
Bento is usually wrapped in traditional furoshiki shawls (square pieces of fabric), the pattern of which is recommended to match the season. In Japan, bento is not just food, it is a part of the culture, expressing care, attention and a creative approach to organizing food.

During picnics it is very pleasant to open bento and see that everything was prepared with creativity and imagination. Thus, beautiful and aesthetic compositions are obtained. Of course, this is always a complimentary topic for small talk.

Meet Elena Gavrilina-Fujiyama, our newest contributor to Etiquipedia. Elena is a specialist in Japanese protocol and etiquette, and European social etiquette. The founder of the project Etiquette748, Elena is also a member of the National Association Specialist of Protocol. She authored the best-selling book “Japanese Etiquette: Ancient Traditions and Modern Rules” after living in Japan for over 20 years.

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