Today’s Japanese word “Doyou” (Dog days).
According to the “yin and yang five elements theory”, the “Doyou” is the 18 days prior to the next season.
In general, it is the previous 18 days from the first day of fall.
We call this period the “shochuu” (hot weather).
This period, there is also a time to give a “summer greeting”.
By the way, there are various customs on these “Doyou days”, in Japan.
1) In the day of the ox in midsummer, there is a custom of eating eel.
Its habit was from around the Edo era.
2) Dry in shade.
Dry it in the shade to protect it from the harm of mould and the insect.
For example, such as books and cloth, or “Umeboshi” (Pickled and dried Japanese plums. )
3) Dry the rice field of water.
It has the effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria.
And root of the rice seems to swell well.
Many Japanese people love eel.
I bought a big eel for this day!