お食(く)い初(ぞ)め

A traditional Japanese ceremony performed around the 100th day after a baby's birth to wish for a lifetime of good eating. The baby is presented with a formal meal, though they do not actually eat the food. An elder (typically the oldest family member present) touches chopsticks to the food and then to the baby's lips.

Common collocations

• お食(く)い初(ぞ)めの儀式(ぎしき): first-meal ceremony ritual
• お食(く)い初(ぞ)め膳(ぜん): ceremonial meal tray for first feeding
• お食(く)い初(ぞ)めを祝(いわ)う: to celebrate the first-meal ceremony

Cultural note

The traditional menu includes 一汁三菜(いちじゅうさんさい) (one soup, three dishes): 赤飯(せきはん) (red bean rice), 鯛(たい) (whole sea bream), soup, and pickled vegetables. A small stone (歯固(はがた)めの石(いし)) is also placed on the tray as a wish for the child to develop strong teeth. Also known as 百日祝(ももかいわ)い (100-day celebration).

Related words

• 百日祝(ももかいわ)い: 100-day celebration (alternate name)
• お宮参(みやまい)り: shrine visit for a newborn (typically at one month)
• 七五三(しちごさん): 7-5-3 celebration for children