勝ち栗
ヨーロッパにおいて栗の人工栽培が始まったのは、紀元前2000年頃、アレキサンダー大王とローマ人によってヨーロッパ全域で栽培されたと言われています。古代ギリシャでは栗を医療薬とみなしていたようです。また初代教会信者にとっては純潔を象徴するものだったそうです。歴史的にみても栗はかなり神聖な作物になっていったようです。
中国でも、栗は縁起のいい作物とみなし、結婚の際、安産を願って孫娘の衣服の縁に乾燥した栗を縫いこみ、また、花嫁衣装道具の中に栗をいっぱい入れていました。
日本でも同様に栗は縁起がよいものと受け止められ、「縁起を担ぐ」と言います。戦国時代、出陣前の武将は、戦に勝てるよう、三献の儀式を執り行い、酒を飲みながら、勝ち栗その他二品を食べ、ゲン担ぎを行っていました。時代は変われど、受験生には受験当日の不安を軽減し強運を引き出してほしいと願っています。そんなわけで、毎年この時期、ちょっとしたサプライズをさせて頂いています。「雲の向こうには青空がある」と信じて。
Evidence of the cultivation of chestnuts by man can be found in Europe since around 2,000 BC. It was Alexander the Great and the Romans who planted chestnut trees across Europe. Ancient Greeks regarded chestnuts as their medicine. To the early Christians, chestnuts symbolized chastity. Historically speaking, chestnuts are believed to be miraculous for mankind. In China, chestnuts have been viewed as crops bringing good omens. People sew dried chestnuts into the hem of their granddaughter’s bridal dresses. They also like to pack chestnuts into the boxes of clothes to be taken to a bride’s new home. They want to assure an early and easy childbirth. In Japan, chestnuts have also been used as good omens. They were called, “engi wo katsugu” which means, “bring good luck”. In the period of warring states, chestnuts that served at the ceremony to go into battle was seen as a lucky food because dried chestnuts made them think of victory. Even now, at the time of entrance examination, we give students chestnuts as good-luck charms. It would be in the best interest of students if lucky charms really eased uneasiness, and motivated them to do well during their examinations.
There is always light behind the clouds.