Japanese New Year, Osechi Ryouri お正月、 お節料理

Say its true.. its true
Though I want to be with you
I will begin again

これは正しいと言って
貴方へいきたい、のに
また始まります

Osechi Ryouri

New Year's foods of great significance to the Japanese. I would venture to compare them to the Japanese Equivalent of Thanksgiving dinner. The Turkey. potatoes and gravy of the American celebration are very similar in significance to the Soba, black beans, and fish paste of Japanese new year's cuisine....Sort of..... The American turkey has no symbolism or esoteric qualities... The Turkey simply means you were able to find one at the store..... In Japanese Osechi Ryouri each food has a symbolic quality to it.

The Components of the meal.

Osechi Ryouri is made up of many many small dishes prepared prior to new years. Each has a special significance.　　There are many different types of foods not all listed here...

Black Beans - Healthy living

Herring Roe - Prosperity of your descendants

Shrimp - Longevity

Bitter Orange (Daidai) - A wish for children in the new year.

Fish Paste (Kamaboko) - the pink and white of the dish symbolizes the rising sun and festivities.

Kelp (Konbu) - Joy

Sardines (Tai) - Abundant Harvest , sardines were often used to fertilize the rice fields

Soba Noodles (Tochi Koshi) - These are often home made noodles, symbolic of crossing into the new year

Osechi Ryouri Historically

As with many Japanese traditions Osechi Ryouri and the new year's celebration may have originated in China. New Year's was one of five festivals celebrated by the imperial house. During the first three days of the new years is was 'taboo' to cook using a hearth. Therefore, Osechi Ryouri is comprised of dishes that will keep from spoiling in when stored cool for several days.

Osechi Ryouri are supposed to be completed by New Year's Eve. I've also heard that it is bad luck to cut your finger on the new year. This is one reason why there is no cooking on New Year's Day.

Osechi Ryouri Today

These days Osechi Ryouri are commonly home-made. However, Japanese families can buy them from anywhere between 7-11 and the specialty stores. Prices for Osechi Ryouri vary between $100 and $10,000..... Can you imagine? It is usually served in Jubako, which are lacquered bento boxes stacked upon each other.

Here's a photo of our Osechi Ryouri..... (No neither my wife nor I are Japanese... but we enjoy the little facets of Japanese culture...) And heck... We'll take all the good luck we can get!

ーへザさんの御節料理はめっちゃ美味しかった!

As far as my own New Year's Traditions...
-Mimosa, (Champagne and Orange Juice)
-Eggs for Breakfast, sometimes sausage and pastries.

-And most importantly.
Listening to U2's 'New Year's Day"!

Happy New Year
akemashite omedetou gozaimasu!
明けましておめでとうございます!

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Your comments are welcome, be polite:
No throwing pebbles in my pool of zen.