Okuizome (お食い初め) is a Japanese ceremony held around a baby's 100th day, to wish the baby a lifetime of never going without food. It is also called Hashi-hajime or Kuizome. The baby does not actually eat the meal - the ritual is symbolic. Customs vary by family and region.
What happens at the ceremony
The family gathers around a special meal served on a tray, with baby held in a relative's lap. A family member, often the eldest present, brings each food toward baby's lips in a set order, repeating it several times. Baby only gets the symbolic touch - no actual eating.
The traditional meal
A classic Okuizome meal follows the ichiju-sansai format - one soup and three dishes - served with rice. Typical elements include rice or red rice (sekihan), a clear soup, a whole grilled sea bream (tai), simmered vegetables and pickles. Sea bream is traditional because its name sounds like 'medetai', the word for auspicious.
In some regions a small, clean stone (hagatame no ishi) is touched to baby's gums as a wish for strong teeth.
Preparing at home
- Many families order a ready-made Okuizome set from a restaurant or caterer; others cook a simplified version at home.
- Use a small set of dishes and chopsticks just for baby if you have them.
- Pick a day when relatives can attend and that suits baby's naps and feeds. Families often choose a day between the 100th and 120th day.
- Keep the food to the ceremonial touch. Babies at 100 days are not ready for solid foods, and your pediatrician can tell you when they will be.
Photos and keepsakes
- Photograph baby with the tray and the family circle.
- Use a '100 days' card or sign so the photo is easy to date.
- Write down who attended and what was served - these details mean a lot later.