ehōmaki; lucky direction sushi roll
A thick, uncut sushi roll eaten during Setsubun (February 3rd) while facing the year's lucky direction (恵方) to bring good fortune. A modern tradition originating in Osaka, now popular nationwide.
See also: 節分
There is a custom of eating ehōmaki on Setsubun.
This year's lucky direction is south-southeast, so let's face that way and eat ehōmaki.
Setsubun is the seasonal festival during which ehōmaki is eaten; 恵方巻き is the specific food item associated with the custom.
巻き寿司 is a general term for rolled sushi; 恵方巻き is a specific type of thick, uncut roll eaten for good luck.
Standard kanji spelling with okurigana.
Common variant without okurigana.
Rarely used kanji form; 吉方 is an alternative spelling for 恵方.
From 恵方 (ehō, 'lucky direction') + 巻き (maki, 'roll'). The tradition is said to have started in Osaka during the late Edo or early Showa period, but the exact origin is uncertain.