Japanese New Year Shogatsu Oshogatsu
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Japanese New Year
(Shogatsu or Oshogatsu) Recipes Can Be Healthy
Years are traditionally viewed as completely separate, with each new year providing a fresh start. Consequently, all duties are supposed to be completed by the end of the year, while bonenkai parties ("year forgetting parties") are held with the purpose of leaving the old year's worries and troubles behind.
On New Year's eve, toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles), symbolizing longevity, are served. A more recent custom is watching the music show "kohaku uta gassen", a highly popular television program featuring many of Japan's most famous J-pop and enka singers in spectacular performances. January 1 is a very auspicious day, best started by viewing the new year's first sunrise (hatsu-hinode), and traditionally believed to be representative for the whole year that has just commenced. Therefore, the day is supposed be full of joy and free of stress and anger, while everything should be clean and no work should be done. It is a tradition to visit a shrine or temple during shogatsu (hatsumode). The most popular temples and shrines, such as Tokyo's Meiji Shrine, attract several million people during the three days. Most impressive are such visits at the actual turn of the year, when large temple bells are rung at midnight. Various kinds of special dishes are served during shogatsu. They include osechi ryori, otoso (sweetened rice wine) and ozoni (a soup with mochi).
A very popular custom is the sending of New Year's cards, which are specially marked to be delivered on January 1. It is not uncommon for one person to send out several dozens of cards to friends, relatives and co-workers. Visiting Japan during the New Year's holidays can be both rewarding and frustrating. Read more on the pros and contras of visiting Japan during New Year.
The following recipes have been adapted to reduce fat, reduce sugar and tries to use foods with good nutraceuticals and phytochemicals that are good for you. And best of all, we hope they will taste good too.
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Homes
and entrance gates are decorated with ornaments made of pine, bamboo and plum
trees, and clothes and houses are cleaned.
Osechi Ryori
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