恵え方ほう巻まき

え

ほ

う

ま

き

Meanings

noun

ehōmaki; lucky direction sushi roll

food / cooking

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.

Kanji

恵favor, blessing, grace
方direction, person, alternative
巻scroll, volume, book
吉good luck, joy, congratulations

Related words

節せつ分ぶん
Setsubun is the seasonal festival during which ehōmaki is eaten; 恵方巻き is the specific food item associated with the custom.
巻まき寿ず司し
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.

Built from

恵え方ほう+巻まく

Written forms

恵え方ほう巻まき
Standard kanji spelling with okurigana.
恵え方ほう巻まき
Common variant without okurigana.
吉方えほう巻まき
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 吉方 is an alternative spelling for 恵方.

Etymology

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.