光希まさとの徒然草「徒然草 現代篇 －新春の薬酒」１２０

光希まさとの創造の世界へようこそ！

つれづれなるままに、硯にむかひて、心に移りゆくよしなし事を、そこはかとなく書きつくれば、あやしうこそものぐるほしけれ。

古より、屠蘇とは「悪鬼を屠り、死者を蘇らせる」という意味を持つと伝わりぬ。唐の時代より伝わりし延命の薬酒は、やがて我が国の宮中の儀式となりたり。

畏れ多くも、天皇は元旦より三が日、清涼殿の東廂に出御されて御酒を下され、四方拝の御儀式の後、御屠蘇を用いられしと伝わる。その後、国民も之れに倣いて正月二日の儀式として屠蘇を用いる様になりぬ。

その年の邪疫を除き、幸福の年を迎えんがための屠蘇酒を、一家揃いてお正月に戴くことは、江戸の世に広まりしより、我が国の大切なる伝統となりぬ。

年始のお座敷の一杯は、芳香佳味にして頗る爽快なるものとし、常に珍重されし故事を思えば、この一杯にこめられし願いの深さを知るというものなり。

つれづれなるままに　光希まさと

Essays in Idleness – Modern Chapter “New Year’s Medicinal Wine”

As I sit here idly with brush in hand, letting my thoughts flow freely onto paper, various matters cross my mind, somewhat bewilderingly.

Since ancient times, Toso was said to have meant “to slay evil spirits and resurrect the dead.” This medicinal wine, which came from the Tang Dynasty, eventually became part of the imperial court ceremonies in our land.

With great reverence, we learn that the Emperor would appear in the east wing of the Seiryoden Palace during the first three days of the New Year, bestowing sake and partaking in Toso after the ceremony of worship in the four directions. Following this, the people began to adopt the custom of using Toso in ceremonies on the second day of January.

The tradition of families gathering to drink this medicinal wine, which wards off the year’s epidemics and welcomes fortune, spread among common people during the Edo period and has become an important Japanese tradition.

Reflecting on this historical custom of the first cup of the New Year, with its fine fragrance and refreshing taste, one comes to understand the deep wishes contained in this single drink.

In idle contemplation Masato Koki