Midsummer Ox Day

Midsummer Ox Day （どようのうしのひ）is the day associated with the Ox sign in the traditional Japanese calendar. The most famous Ox Day in Japan (one or two days with an interval of 12 days) are on the hottest time of the year (late July – early August), which is also characterized by high humidity. The main dish of this day is kabayaki, baked or fried eel (unagi) with sweet teriyaki sauce. This high-fat food is said to help maintain strength during this hot season.

Origin of tradition
The earliest mention of the association of cooked eel with summer heat is in the Man'yōshū anthology of Japanese poetry (8th century). In Otomono Yakamochi's poem, it is explained that in order not to lose weight due to the summer heat, cooked eel will be beneficial for health.