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First meal

Okuizome is a ceremony in which a baby is pretended to eat food for the first time, with the hope that the baby will never have to worry about food for the rest of its life.
It's a milestone of growth that the whole family celebrates.

When will you celebrate?

It is generally celebrated around 100 days after birth. It is sometimes called the "100th day celebration" or "100th day celebration," and sometimes it is celebrated around 120 days after birth, but this varies depending on the region. Don't stick to the 100th day exactly, but celebrate around 100 days according to your family's schedule.

Voices of senior mothers

Since this was the second opportunity to celebrate as a family after the shrine visit, both families were looking forward to it. We didn't insist on the exact 100 days, but instead chose a weekend that was convenient for everyone.
While I was struggling with the unfamiliar task of raising a child, the 100 days quickly approached and I felt panicked. I wish I had thought about when and how to celebrate while I was pregnant, when I had more time.

Preparation for the first meal

tableware
The formal setting is a lacquerware tray. Boys use a vermilion-lacquered celebratory tray, while girls use a black tray with a vermilion-lacquered interior. Chopsticks should be celebratory chopsticks. Nowadays, many families are no longer so particular about lacquerware, and are using baby tableware sets that can be used for a long time. Using baby tableware received as a gift for the first time will also be a fond memory.

cooking
The basic meal is one soup and three side dishes.
・Grilled fish with head and tail (sea bream, etc.)
・Clear soup・Simmered dish・Pickles・Red rice・White rice

Menus for the first meal vary by region, so it might be a good idea to ask your parents and include them in the menu.
Teething stones and pickled plums are also sometimes added. Teething stones symbolize the growth of strong teeth, while pickled plums symbolize a long life until wrinkles appear. Teething stones are given to babies at shrine visits or found within the shrine grounds. They should be returned when they are finished using them.

Advance preparation flow

Decide the date
Let's decide on the 100th day as a guideline.
Arrange tableware and celebratory meal . Prepare at home or book a restaurant for the first meal.
Decide on your baby's outfit. Formal attire such as a colored kosode or hakama romper is perfect.
Preparing for photo shoots <br>You can take commemorative photos in the studio or take photos at home using props!

What you need list

Celebration meal
□ Red rice □ Grilled fish (sea bream is the standard)
□ Simmered dishes (seasonal vegetables)
Pickles (pickles, etc.)
□Clear soup

others
□ Teething stone □ Tableware (for celebratory meals)
□Baby's outfit □Camera (for commemorative photos)

Voices of senior mothers

I had an image of a sea bream with a whole head and tail, but I wasn't sure if I could grill it nicely myself... I asked a fellow mom in the neighborhood and found out that I could buy pre-grilled ones at the supermarket if I reserved them, which was a relief! I made the simmered dishes and red rice myself, and it was easier than I thought it would be. I used tableware that I had received as a gift, and the person who gave it to me was happy when I showed them the photos.
Since it was such a special anniversary, I wanted to celebrate it properly. Inviting both sets of parents and cooking a meal would be a lot of work, so we used the hotel's Okuizome plan. It was the first time we'd gone on a proper family outing, and I was able to relax without any rushing, so it became a wonderful memory.

How do you celebrate?

ritual
Since the first meal is a ritual, the baby is not actually fed.
Officially, the oldest family member pretends to feed the baby. If the baby is a boy, it is usually asked by a man, and if the baby is a girl, it is asked by a woman.
Pretend to feed the baby three times in the following order: rice → soup → rice → grilled fish → rice. After that, touch the chopsticks to the teething stone and place it on the baby's gums, and this completes the ritual.

clothing
There is no set outfit, but since it's a special day, you'll want your baby to dress up nicely. This is the time when your baby will be growing in size, so it's a good idea to have a photo ready that can be used on special occasions like this. Since the photos will be taken, it's a good idea to think about what the parents and older siblings will wear in advance.

Voices of senior mothers

I dressed him in the white two-way all-in-one that he wore when he was discharged from the hospital and for his shrine visit. It gave a ceremonial feel to it. I didn't have a white bib, so I wish I had.
We were so focused on what to wear for the baby that we didn't even think about what to wear ourselves. We thought it was time to take photos, but we didn't have time to change and ended up wearing our everyday clothes... We should have thought about this beforehand.

Familia's special tableware

Tableware is essential for the first meal. We would like to introduce the special tableware that Familiar carries.

Introducing tableware that is perfect for baby food and weaning.
The adorable bear design will add a fun and cute touch to your baby's first meal.
With its gentle colors and simple design, it is suitable for both men and women, making it a perfect gift for a baby shower or other special occasion.
The edge of the plate has been designed to make it easier to scoop, so you can scoop up every last bite.
Because it is made of resin, it is light and shatter-resistant, making it safe to use at mealtimes every day.