According to the "Engishiki" (an ancient book for codes and procedures on national rites and prayers), on the day of koshogatsu, "nanakusa-gayu"(rice porridge with seven spring herbs) was eaten in the Imperial Court, which contained rice, azuki bean, awa (foxtail millet), sesame, kibi (common millet), hie (Japanese millet) and mutsuoregusa (Glyceria acutiflora Torr.), and the general government staff were served with more modest porridge of rice and azuki bean, which was called "okayu."
『延喜式』によれば、小正月には宮中において米・小豆・粟・ゴマ・黍・稗・葟子（ムツオレグサ）の「七種粥」が食せられ、一般官人には米に小豆を入れたより簡素な「御粥」が振舞われている。