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Yukata
This is called “yukata”, a traditional summer cloth worn at festivals in
summer.
Wadaiko
Wadaiko or Japanese drums are powerful drums ranging from small to
big size producing a thunder like sounds, in some cases, it is
accompanied with a dramatic stage performances.
Osechi Ryori
Osechi Ryori, said to have begun in the Heian era (from 794), is
a set of small, traditional dishes served in beautiful three- or
four-layered lacquer bento boxes called jubako, placed at the
center of the table on New Year’s Eve and remaining
there through Jan. 1. Shared with all family and friends, each
item in the tray represents a particular wish for the next
year. Here are 12 typical food items you’ll encounter and their
symbolic meanings.
Datemaki: Scholarship
It looks exactly like tamago yaki (Japanese rolled omelet) but
once you taste it you’ll know the difference. Datemaki, the
sweet rolled omelet, is mixed with an additional ingredient
called hanpen (a fish cake) that makes it much fluffier than
tamago yaki. In the past, Japanese people traditionally
rolled important documents or paintings. Due to
its resemblance to the scrolled papers, the dish is said to
represent a wish for the development of culture and learning.
Kuri-kinton: Wealth
Kuri kinton (sweet chestnuts) literally means: “golden
dango (sweet dumpling) made of chestnuts.” As the color is
yellowish-gold, it goes without saying that it represents a wish
for wealth and a fruitful new year. You may find it difficult to
eat them as they are quite sticky, but if you have a sweet
tooth — keep some of them on your plate from the beginning of
the party
Kohaku Kamaboko: Sunrise
Kamaboko (boiled fish paste) is most commonly presented as a
combination of the colors red and white. The red color is
believed to prevent evil spirits, while the white represents
purity. Further, the shape of kamaboko — resembling that of
the sun at daybreak— represents the first sun rise of the new
year.
Kobu-maki: Happiness
The kobu, or kelp, served around seems to have different
meanings. The first of which is quite simple: the word
“kobu” is a Japanese homonym for “yorokobu,” which
means joy and happiness. Kobu also symbolizes
many offspring when written as “子生,” a kanji
that represents childbirth.
Kazunoko: Fertility
Kazunoko, or herring roe, also uses easy Japanese wordplay.
“Kazu” means numbers and “ko” means children. So, kazunoko
symbolizes being blessed with many children. Another reason
this particular type of fish is used, interestingly, is that herring
is called “nishin” in Japanese, but if written with different kanji,
it becomes “二親” (“ni shin“), meaning two parents.
Ebi: Longevity
Picture a shrimp. It has a bent back and two antennae that look
like a long beard, don’t they? Therefore, the ebi (shrimp) on
your plate is there to wish you a long life, until you have a bent
back and long beard (sorry ladies, that happens). The red color
makes the osechi look even more appealing and colorful, but
it’s also said that it’s there to scare evil spirits away. Just like
its friend kamaboko.
Kuromame: Health
According to Taoism, the color black works as protection
against evil spirits. Moreover, as the word “mame” originally
means good health and strength in Japanese, kuromame (black
beans) represents a wish to live and work in sound health
during the next year.
Tatsukuri (Gomame): Bounty
Tatsukuri (dried, sweetened baby sardines) means rice farming.
But what does sardines have to do with grains and agriculture?
Well, a long time ago Japanese farmers used dried sardines as a
fertilizer for their rice fields. Its other name, gomame, literally
means “50,000 grains of rice” and derives from the fact that
sardine fertilizer produced a great harvest of rice. Since then,
tatsukuri has been considered as a symbol of good harvest for
the next year.
Renkon: Foreseeable, good future
In Buddhism, renkon (lotus root) is considered a plant of purity,
as it’s believed to grow in the heavenly pond where the Buddha
lived. Lotus root represents a happy future without obstacles.
Why? Well, look through the holes in the renkon — you can
clearly see the other side without any interference.
Kikuka-kabu: Celebration & Promotion
Kabu, or turnip, are served in the shape of kiku
(chrysanthemum).The chrysanthemum is the Japanese
national flower and is often associated with traditional
festivities and celebrations (as well as the imperial
family). There is also a belief from China that it drives
away evil and allows you to live longer.
Gobo: Strength & Stability
Gobo (burdock root) takes a while to cut down and it’s exactly
this characteristic that landed it on the osechi dish. Just like
those roots that grow so firmly in the soil, burdock symbolizes
hope for a life of strength and stability and a life of physical
strength. In other words: eat this at New Year’s and nothing
can bring your down.