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. 

Tai: Auspiciousness & Celebration

Tai, or sea bream, is a fish for celebration in Japan. A play on

words, it derives from medetai, meaning “to celebrate.” The

fish is eaten when a child is born or at weddings in hope for

prosperity and happiness. Make a wish as you remove those

bones…