Osechi (おせち), the abbriviation of O-sechi-ryori, is a traditional New Year’s Dish which is severed in multi-tiered lacquered boxes called “ju-bako”(重箱).
Many years ago, Japanese people offered special food to the gods on the occasion of five different “sekku” (big festivals). These five were Nanakura, Hina Matsuri, Children’s Day, Tanabata and Chrysanthemum Festival. After the food was presented to the gods it was then enjoyed by the family. It was called “O-sechi (節)-ryori” because it referred to meals eatedn on “sekku” (節句).
Today, it has the specific meaning of festive food enjoyed at New Year’s. In samurai times the food was very spartan but nowadays it is quite elaborate and varies from region to region and family to family.
Osechi is intended to save Japanese housewives the trouble of cooking during the busy New Year’s holidays, so that they can take a break even for a few days, and it is also characterized by its strong overall flavor so that it can be preserved.
Osechi is also stuffed with dishes that bring good luck. For example, boiled shrimp (Ebi no Onigara-yaki) symbolize longevity because they are bent like an old person.
Fukubukuro is a Japanese New Year’s tradition in which a fukubukuro is made, the contents of which are unknown, and sold at a substantial discount of 50% or more of the list price. They are usually sold at a discount of 50% or more of the list price.
The word “fukubukuro” is composed of the words “Fuku” and “sack”. Fuku comes from the proverb, “There is good fortune in what remains.”
Popular stores usually have long lines of eager customers waiting for their fukubukuro bags a few hours before they open on New Year’s Day. Foreign brands are also aggressively selling fukubukuro.
Mom’s Life In Japan | Toddler Food Ideas | Egg Sandwich | Banana Cake & Cream Soda In Tokyo
Content:
– Review of my new vacuum cleaner
– Egg sandwiches for lunch [Recipe]
– Fig salad for Dinner
– What I found in the food selection store
・Japanese Mayonnaise [Recipe]
・Mayonnaise Dips [Recipe] – Cafe in Tokyo : Banana cake & Cream soda at BRÜCKE
– Donuts making with my kids
Toshikoshi Soba, or year-end buckwheat noodles, is a dish eaten annually on New Year’s Eve in Japan. This tasty tradition carries great significance and symbolizes the crossing over from one year to the next.
The custom of eating soba on New Year’s Eve is said to have started in the Edo Period (1603-1868). There are many theories behind the origins of this custom. One suggests that since buckwheat noodles are easier to cut than thicker varieties, it represents the cutting away of any bad luck built up over the course of the year.
Other beliefs point out how soba is healthy, so eating it is a great way to wish for good health in the new year. Since soba noodles are also long and thin, the noodles symbolize long life. Thus, it’s customary to eat them with the hope for longevity.
This time, I made a tempura soba. Since my kids are not a fan of fried shrimp at the moment, so I fried chikuwa (fish cake), Kanikama (fake crab meat), pumpkin aside with spring roll with ham and cheese. My family ate all of it. Yummy!
My family love dipping style soba. How about you?
Shime-kazari (Special decoration for Japanese New Year’s)
A shimenawa is a rope used to mark the boundary between this world and the next at shrines and other sacred places where gods are worshipped.
A shimenawa with lucky charms and other decorations attached to it is called a shime-Kazari. This is also a part of the Shogatsu event, which means that the house with the shime-kazari is ready to welcome the god of the year and is a sacred place.
The presence of the shimekazari makes the place safe and pure for the gods of the year to come down with peace of mind.
Originally, shime-kazari was usually made of rice straw to wish for a good harvest, but recently, more and more traditional shime-kazari are being arranged.
Radio Interview For “Living In Japan” (NHK World Japan)
I have an announcement to make this time.
That is, I was interviewed by NHK WORLD JAPAN for their radio program “Living in Japan” and went to the studio to participate in the recording!!!
“Living in Japan” is a program that provides hints and tips for foreigners who are living or planning to live in Japan, as well as for those who are interested in Japanese culture.
In the recording, I talked about topics such as “How to start cooking Japanese food” and “Easy & Delicious dishes to cook during this season” etc. Since it was a radio program, my favorite song and its episode will also be introduced in the program.
It was my first time to record a radio show, but the MCs Kevin (YouTuber&Influencer) & Ruth (Company Consultant CEO) created a fun atmosphere, so I was able to enjoy the show and finish it.
The episode I was interviewed in will be aired on January 2, 2022 (SUN) at 1:10 pm Japan time. The program will be broadcast on the NHK World’s Free App, Radio, and Website and archived on On Demand, so don’t worry if you missed it! https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/radio/livinginjapan/
I’m also very excited to see how the show turns out.❤️
Mom’s Life In Japan | Day in the life of a Japanese Mom & 1 Year-old Baby | 24 Hours | Part.2
Content:
– What I bought at the Japanese Supermarket
– How to visit a Shrine
– Recipe : Soboro Donburi with canned mackerel [Recipe]
– Local snack from Kyushu region Jagarico [Recipe]
– Homemade Japanese snack for Kids [Recipe]
– How my son enjoy studying English
– My family’s favorite Sushi items
Content : Content : Day in the life of a Japanese Mom and Baby | Mom’s Life In Japan | Play Ideas for a 1 Year Old | 100-yen Shop & Japanese Supermarket Tour | Japanese Curry Rice For Kids & Japanese Sweet Potato Cake
内容：保育園がコロナ禍で突然休園に！1歳の娘と過ごした日々の記録 , 100円ショップで買ったもの, 日本のスーパーマーケットで買ったもの, 子供用カレーライス, スイートポテトづくりなど
Content : What Japanese Mom Cook In A Day, Easy Japanese Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Ideas & Recipes, My 1 year-old daughter’s favorite toy, About Mario & Luigi
内容：母が泊まりに来た時の1日の食事、豆腐パンケーキの朝ごはん、パンとスープのランチ、定番の副菜レシピ、娘の好きなおもちゃ、愛犬トイプードル兄弟の紹介
