Japanese Osechi

How do you spend New Year's Day? In Japan, there is a traditional Japanese New Year's dish called "Osechi," which many families put on their New Year's table. Many families put Osechi on their New Year's table.　

Osechi is a word that refers to the day of "sechi," which is a seasonal seasonal festival. Osechi is made up of various kinds of ingredients in a container called a stacked box, and each ingredient has its own meaning, so let me introduce a few.　

The herring roe, or herring roe, has many eggs and is meant to bring prosperity to offspring and, in some cases, longevity to both parents. Because herring is considered a lucky fish, they are also served at various celebrations.　

Black soybeans: Black soybeans are officially called "kurodazu" (black soybeans), and the color black has long been popular as a color to avoid evil. The bean has the meaning of "to work hard and live well," and is eaten to pray for diligence and good health. In some areas, black beans are boiled so that wrinkles appear on them to pray for long life.　

Tataki gobo (burdock root): The deep rooted burdock has the meaning that the family and family business will take root in the land and continue from generation to generation, and is an ingredient to pray for long and thin continuation of happiness. It is also known as an osechi to pray for good health due to its various medicinal properties, and the action of tapping the burdock is said to open the body and bring good luck.　

Kamaboko: Kamaboko has long been considered an appropriate ingredient for Osechi because its shape resembles a rising sun. The red and white kamaboko are auspicious, with the red color representing "protection against evil" and "joy" and the white color representing "holiness" and "purity. In modern times, kamaboko with designs and characters such as those shown in the image can also be found.

Datemaki: Datemaki is originally a Nagasaki dish called "sponge cake kamaboko. The name "datemaki" comes from its resemblance to the kimono of a stylishly dressed "datamono". The shape of the scroll is reminiscent of a book or a hanging scroll, and is therefore associated with the wish for intellectual and cultural development and academic success.

The name "kuri-kinton" comes from the Chinese word "konton," which later became "kintan" (meaning "golden ball"). The bright color resembles a koban or gold nugget, so it is eaten to wish for good fortune. Chestnuts are also called "katsu," meaning "winning chestnuts," because the process of peeling the skin off the chestnuts is called "katsu," which is a good omen for winning the game.

The osechi ingredients introduced here are only some of the many meanings contained in osechi. I would be happy if you become interested in Osechi after reading this, do some research, and increase the process of serving Osechi at New Year's.

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