first young greens of the year
Rare seasonal term referring to the earliest edible wild greens or young vegetables harvested in spring, often associated with traditional poetry and the New Year.
The custom of picking the first young greens of the year has been practiced since ancient times.
Compound of 初 (hatsu, 'first') + 若菜 (wakana, 'young greens'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term appears in classical poetry and seasonal customs.