Happy New Year! A different kind of post today. I'd like to share a part of my heritage with you. Being Japanese-American, I have the advantage to celebrate two kinds of traditions. This being OSHOGATSU (known as New Year but the direct translation is January!), we celebrate with decor, food, games, and being with family. 🎍 🍴💖
Decor
Let's start with the Kagami Mochi display which is a modern version of the original. Most homes in Japan have them for the New Year. The two white round shapes are mochi (rice cakes) symbolizes the outgoing and incoming years. The orange/mikan (daidai) symbolizes generation to generation. The whole arrangement together takes the meaning of long life, family bonds, and continued family generation. The image of an ox underneath stands for the year of the ox (2021). Japanese also uses the Chinese zodiac, a 12-year cycle of zodiac signs. Google search and you'll find some fun facts! What animal are you?
Foods
New Year's Foods are known as Osechi Ryori (direct translation: special season cooking). Foods are prepared days in advance to avoid cooking on New Year's Day. All are housed in a stack of boxes called Jyubako (think stacking bento boxes). There are many different kinds of foods with each having a meaning. But I won't go into that or you'll be reading for days! LOL!! Here's our spread - thanks to my husband and our local Japanese market
Games
There are many games that families play (and not much different from here in the U.S.) such as board games but there are games such as Go and Shogi (think Japanese style chess + checkers). A few years ago, I created a Hagoita (think Badminton) for a craft manufacturer. For the tutorial, click Japanese New Year Hagoita Tutorial.
I hope that you learn something interesting today! To you, my readers, I THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking the time to read, comment, and support my blog.
From our family to yours, wishing for an even better & healthy year! Stay safe!
Much love,
MargieH xo
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