It is a big holiday in Japan, and we usually spend time with our family at home, or visit shrines for HATSUMODE.
There are many unspoken rules, or traditions related to SHOGATSU.
The ones I like are the OTOSO and OSECHI.
OTOSO is Sake spiced with herbs that we only drink for New Years day.
There are three cups with different size, and we pass it around the family members. Usually, Japanese customs tell us to respect the elders, but in case of OTOSO, the younger one gets to drink first. This is so that the older people can regain youth by drinking after the young ones.
OSECHI is a Bento prepared especially for New Years.
We usually have a similar set of menu each with a meaning, like shrimp (for a long life) and sweet black beans (to be diligent). Of course details vary according to region and family. We are supposed to eat OSECHI for three days. This is to let housewives rest after the busy cleaning and preparing for New Years.
The URUSHI dishes and bento boxes are beautiful, and many families pass it on for generations. These customs reminds us of how we are "kept alive" by many other species and nature. Partying is nice too, but try out this Japanese-style New Years too!
No comments:
Post a Comment