JAPANESE
NEW YEAR TRADITION
Shōgatsu, the Japanese New Year, is an important family celebration. It includes the custom of eating osechi-ryōri together on New Year's Day: special dishes that are prepared on New Year's Eve to avoid having to cook on the first day of the new year. This centuries-old tradition remains a part of Japanese culture to this day.
Each of the many small osechi-ryōri dishes holds special significance for the year ahead. The lucky nibbles are packed in jūbako boxes. Not only the ingredients, but also the stackable lacquered boxes themselves symbolise good wishes. Because "stacking boxes" is synonymous with "adding happiness".
One such box, filled with osechi-ryōri, adorns the new Limited Edition dispenser from Kikkoman! Kikkoman Soy Sauce is also inextricably linked to Japanese history - adding delicious umami flavour to both Japanese and British festive dishes.
As the shape of this rolled omelette with fish or shrimp paste is reminiscent of a scroll, it symbolises the wish for successful learning.
With its many tiny eggs, this dish made from herring roe symbolises the wish for an abundance of offspring. In addition, "kazu" means number and "ko" child, reinforcing the meaning of "many children".
These steamed fish cakes come in symbolic colours: white for purity, plus pink or red for joy and protection against evil spirits. The crescent shape of the slices is reminiscent of the rising sun.
The bright yellow colour of this dish of candied chestnuts and sweet potato mash is reminiscent of gold and expresses the wish for wealth in the new year.
The shiny, black soybeans, prepared with sugar and soy sauce, symbolise a healthy, strong and hard-working life.
These dried baby sardines, marinated in sweet soy sauce, represent the hope for a successful harvest. The name literally translates as "rice cultivation", as small sardines were once scattered on fields as a fertiliser.
The name of this dish, made of fish or vegetables wrapped in seaweed, is reminiscent of "yorokobu", meaning "to rejoice", which is why the small seaweed rolls symbolise happy events in the new year.
With their curved backs, these shrimps, which are cooked in dashi, soy sauce, sake, sugar and mirin, symbolise the wish for a long life. The red colour is also believed to ward off evil spirits.
This dish of mixed root vegetables, cooked in dashi stock with soy sauce, symbolises eternal happiness. Every ingredient has its own meaning. Carrots cut into flower shapes welcome the spring, while taro hexagons signify a long life.
Renkon namasu is made from lotus root slices that have been marinated in a sweet vinegar sauce. You can see through the slices, which is why they represent a future free of obstacles.
