by Happy new year 2024! I hope you will get more interests about Japan trip and also make more chances to know about Chichibu!
Have you eaten new year traditional meal Osechi? It is very traditional Japan new year meal style and very different from their usual meals.
What is Osechi food?
The word of “Osechi” means an event to change the season. The origin came from China, Edo period in Japan. Such several traditional meals have been assimilated into Japan including the Osechi culture. Then also, the below dates became 5 official cultural events in Japan.
・07 January : Nanakusagayu, which is congee cooked with Seven Herbs of Health, is eaten for wishing no sickness and no disaster in the year
・03 March: It is time for flower blossoms then some special dolls, Sushi, and rice cakes are prepared for the celebration.
・05 May: Children Day, celebrated with colourful flying carps and special rice cakes.
・07 July: Tanabata day. It is based on the legendary meeting of two stars, Hikoboshi and Orihime, which are represented by Altair and Vega, only once a year. On the day, Japanese people write what they wish on a Tanabata paper and put on branch of bamboo grass.
・09 September: It is the day to wish living longer and no sickness with chrysanth flower. Each family decollate with the chrysanth flower and eat sweet chestnuts.
History of Osechi
The origin is from China and they called “Sechi”, which is like a joint of bamboo for any celebrations. Japanese people also followed the tradition and called “Sechi-Nichi” meaning celebration day.
In Nara period (710 – 794), the above five official cultures were conducted as palace events and special meals were served. It was called “Sechiku” and it became “Osechi” as Japanese new year meal.
What does Osechi eating mean?
Osechi means to welcome a God at the new year’s day and people wish a lot of happiness will come in the new year. So there are several specific foods to stands for those happiness.
・Kombu: To be happy
・Pagrus major: means celebration
・Herring eggs: Because there are a lot of eggs, it means the prosperity of family.
・Black beans: means you can work harder with health.
・Daidai (like small mandarin): means to wish the prosperity of family from generation to generation.
