History
Buckwheat noodles existed from the B.C. It is said to be found first at the southern part of China around 4000 B.C, and began in the 2000 B.C.
Buckwheat noodles began to cultivate after it was introduced to Japan
during the period of Jomon and the age of Yayoi. For a long time, during
the shortage of food and crop failure, whenever the farmers had celebrations
and special ceremonies they cultivate buckwheat noodles because
it was easy to harvest in a short time.
During the Nara and the Muromachi era, it was eaten in the form of such
as
"Zosui" - porridge of buckwheat with vegetables
"Sobagaki" - stirring buckwheat flour with hot waters. Sometimes the
Japanese people also add soy souse in it.
"Mochi"-buckwheat cake
In the beginning of Edo period, kneaded buckwheat flower are long and
slenderly cut. This was called the "Soba Kiri", meaning "slice buckwheat noodle", invented by the people living in Kai (Yamanashi Prefecture) and Shinano
(Nagano Prefecture). The buckwheat noodle shop first made the noodles
during the mid Edo period and then it was spread out to many towns.
Around the 1860's, it is known that there were more than 3700 buckwheat
noodles shops in Japan. The farmers often ate "Sobagaki" because
it was
the easiest way to eat.
On the last day of the year, known as the New Year's Eve, it is important
for Japanese people to eat buckwheat noodles. This is because "the
thin and long buckwheat noodles" represents "long living life
and luck", in addition "like the buckwheat noodles which cuts
easily" it symbolizes "to reduce peoples disaster, misfortune
and debts." There are various theories regarding the buckwheat noodles
eaten on New Year's Eve.
In the Kanto area , people often ate 「Mori-soba」and「Zaru-soba」 which are doused in tasty cold soup before eaten. On the other hand, in the Kansai area
the 「Kake-soba」which is served in light taste hot soup was popular.
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