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100-day celebration (for a baby)
a traditional Japanese celebration held approximately 100 days after a baby's birth, featuring a symbolic first meal ceremony
赤ちゃんの百日祝いをした。
We held the baby's 100-day celebration.
百日祝いの写真をスタジオで撮った。
We took photos for the 100-day celebration at a studio.
百日祝いでは、赤ちゃんが一生食べ物に困らないようにと願いを込めてお食い初めの儀式を行う。
At the 100-day celebration, a symbolic first-meal ceremony is held with the wish that the baby will never lack food throughout life.
A milestone celebration for a baby at approximately 100 days old. The centerpiece is the お食い初め ceremony, where a symbolic meal is set before the baby (who does not actually eat it) to wish for a lifetime of abundance.
THE お食い初め CEREMONY:
- A tray of ceremonial foods is prepared, typically including 鯛 (sea bream), 赤飯 (red rice), 煮物 (simmered dish), 吸い物 (clear soup), and 香の物 (pickles)
- 歯固めの石 — a small stone placed on the tray to wish for strong teeth
- The eldest family member pretends to feed the baby using chopsticks
ALTERNATIVE NAMES:
- お食い初め — first-meal ceremony (the most commonly used name)
- 百日の祝い — 100-day celebration (on'yomi reading)
RELATED CELEBRATIONS:
- お七夜 — 7th-night naming ceremony
- お宮参り — first shrine visit (around 30 days)
- 初節句 — first seasonal festival
- 初誕生 — first birthday