A day just to eat... eel?

There is a unwritten holiday in Japan a couple times each year, most recently on July 20.  It is one that is celebrated in many households, but not found on any calendars.  It is a food based holiday, that has people lining up at restaurants and buying out stores of one simple product.  It is a day to eat eel, specifically grilled freshwater eel.

While some say the focus is to honor an old saying which promotes eating fish to help the body withstand the summer heat, my husband swears the holiday was created as a PR campaign by a struggling industry in the Edo Period.  No matter the reason, people really do eat eel on Eel Day!

Eel season is winter.  Historically, people didn't want to eat eel in summer because they considered it a winter food.  Families of eel restauranteurs were struggling, so they asked well-known Japanese naturalist Gennai Hiraga to help them.  A marketing campaign ensued and a sign urging customers to eat eel on "Doyo no Ushi Day" was posted.  People listened and came to eat eel.

Over the years, the health benefits of eel has been promoted.  Eel is, in fact, packed with protein, Vitamin A, Omega 3 fatty acids, EPA, DHA, etc.

Typically served on a bed of rice in a lacquered box, the presentation of eel is particularly beautiful.  The sweet sauce that is brushed on the top of the eel shimmers in the light and looks very enticing. 
Of course it is served many other ways as well, but this is the most popular.

When we celebrated eels day in the US, my husband used to make the traditional grilled eel.  However, he also made rolled omelets with eel tucked inside it and uzaku (pickled cucumbers with small pieces of eel).  Sometimes we had eel and egg rice bowls.  There really are so many options.

No matter the reason for the holiday, it is a fun tradition that makes people feel united - like we all had dinner together.