03/02/2026
EHOMAKI
South-Southeast
Eating it whole, with luck rolled inside.
Ehomaki is a thick sushi roll, eaten in silence while making a wish, facing the direction of best luck (eho) specified for each year according to the way of ying and yang, the esoteric cosmology based on ancient Chinese philosophy where good and bad luck for that particular year are interpreted by observing natural phenomena. There are many theories as to ehomakiโs origin but it is said to be a custom handed down from the Edo period (1603?1868). Apparently, people in the days of old ate ehomaki and wished for prosperity and good health for that year.
It is also said to be good luck to use seven ingredients to prepare ehomaki, in sync with the seven gods of fortune in Japanese folklore. Apparently, good luck will come about by rolling the ingredients into the sushi. It is also served whole, without cutting into pieces, so that โrelationships are not cut off.โ