What Remains in the Withered Land

Apparently, June 15th is "Ginger Day."

When I looked up the origin, it led me to Kanazawa. It seems there is a shrine there, the only one in Japan that enshrines the god of spices, and they hold a festival on this day every year. It is called Hajikami Shrine. Long ago, in the province of Kaga, there was a period when it didn't rain for months, and the plants and people were withering away. Prayers for rain were finally answered, and a sacred spring welled up. They looked for an offering to give the god in gratitude, but there was nothing left. Only one thing remained in the parched earth: ginger. So, they offered that. That is said to be how it began.

It wasn't something grand or rare. Offering what remained until the very end. That story somehow wouldn't leave my mind.

So, I grated some ginger and made a hot ginger drink. As I grated it, the kitchen filled with steam and fragrance. When I took a sip, the back of my throat grew hot after a beat, and that warmth traveled down to my back. My cold fingertips slowly began to feel warm again. Ginger works more through heat than through flavor. Even after I finished drinking, it still lingered in the back of my throat.

I felt that this "lingering" sensation was somewhat similar to the origin story, so I made a manga about having a drink with a god. A night where the two of them drink ginger tea while talking about the offering. The god doesn't say it's "delicious." He says it's "spicy," and then he suddenly leaves.

What remained were empty cups and a throat that was still warm.

Well, it's fine to have nights like that.