0202　Japan "zen"　膳

A zen is a small, legged table used to hold a single serving of rice, soup, and side dishes. It has been widely used for everything from ceremonial banquets to everyday meals.

The history of the zen is said to have begun about 1200 years ago in the court society with the "orishiki" (a lacquered wooden tray without legs). Eventually, legs were added to the orishiki, and it evolved into the zen during the Edo period. It became widespread among common people from the late Edo period to the Meiji era.

At that time, simple zen with two wooden legs were used for everyday meals, while for New Year's, celebrations, and guests, zen with legs shaped like butterfly wings or cat's paws (derived from tea ceremony utensils) were prepared.

In modern times, it has been replaced by low tables and other tables, but it is still used in formal Japanese dining settings.