A day for humans and herbs!

Today, and January 7th, sees the annual occurence of two of Japan's traditional festivals. January 7th is the day of both "Jinjitsu no Sekku" and "Nanakusa no hi". 

Jinjitsu no Sekku, one of Japan’s Five Seasonal Festivals, is rooted in ancient Chinese tradition. The Chinese calendar, which is observed in Japan too, allocates each year to one of the 12 zodiac animals. But January 7th was the day for “humans". People ate young greens to ward off misfortune. 

Eventually the custom of eating young greens, transformed into eating "seven herbs" to pray for health, longevity, and a peaceful year in Japan. Known as Nanakusa no Hi in Japan, or seven herb day (the feast of seven herbs) is a day to eat one or several of Japan's "seven herbs" for good health for the year ahead, while also giving the stomach a break after days of festive New Year feasts.