Hochner Family Blog

This year, we wanted to try to be a bit more traditional, or in other words, Japanese. So, the basic idea was -- in Japan do as the Japanese.

This period is actually split into two parts -- the end of the year and the beginning of the new year. The first is, of course, December 31 and early January 1st, and the second lasts for three days, from January first to the third. Almost nobody works in Japan during these three days!

The whole New Year period (o-shogatsu) is probably one of the most "Japanese" of all celebrations. This traditional New Year's celebration is full of symbolism, and that symbolism is particularly evident in typical New Year's food, the "Osechi Ryori". This is where we wanted to concentrate. Usually, when in Japan during this period of the year, we were invited by Akiko's parents for the traditional family gathering and new year food. This year, we had decided to prepare everything ourselves and invite Akiko's family, her parents and her brother.

Akiko armed herself with a couple of recipe books, took care of the shopping and organized everything. I started by taking care of cleaning the house (yes, this "is" part of the o-shogatsu). Meanwhile, Julien was taking care of enjoying himself camping with S., his uncle and Dully, their dog.  

 G. and E. joined us for the end of the year dinner, and together with several millions other people, we went to Tokyo's Meiji Shrine for "hatsumode", the new year first shrine visit. As they say, if you are afraid of crowds, don't go. It took us almost two hours (in the cold) to reach the front of the shrine, throw our coins, clap our hands, buy our arrow ("hamaya" for protection against the year's bad spirits) and some lucky charms for a fortunate new year, enjoy the various food stands, and go back to the car. The organization was as usual in Japan, excellent -- no rush, no stampede, with a lot of policemen for making sure it stays this way.

On January first, the final touch -- the presentation of the Osechi Ryori (special New Year dishes) we prepared (mainly Akiko) during these three days was finished just before the first guests arrived. We then went out to Yasukuni Jinja (yes, this controversial one, selected because it is the nearest one from home, not for political reason) to meet Akiko's family. Unfortunately, being a bit late, we missed some of the day events, but we enjoyed the crowd and all the little food stands.

Back home, we started the family gathering -- its main purpose is to be together and to eat these special dishes (and talk and comment on them). To the Japanese, the first day of the New Year is the most important and auspicious one. Since it symbolizes the year just beginning, the day should be full of joy and void of any stress, conflict or anger. Speaking about Akiko's cuisine, there was no real risk of argumentation.

The Osechi ryori, special New year dishes, are in general associated with health, happiness, and a good harvest, and much of the food has special meanings. Akiko's parents explained a lot of these symbols for us. All the details will be the subject of our next post. Meanwhile, here are just a few pictures.

The first round, called Ichi-no-ju.  Also known as first or top tier, first level or first stage.

Contains Konbu, umami-rich kombu, kampyo - Kurikinton - Kazunoko - Gomame (Tazukuri) - Kamaboko - datemaki

(Explanation coming with the next post, if I find all the vocabulary!)

Ni-no-ju or second tier (second stage, second level, etc.)

Most items in this second box are animal and seafood tidbits. Ours contains chicken rolls with gobo and carrot, beef rolls with asparagus, and smoked salmon rolls with cucumber, radish and nori (seaweed)

San-no-ju or third tier (third stage, etc…)  

The third box holds vegetables and roots seasoned with sugar and soy sauce. Ebi rolls, Sayaendo, Shiitake, Nagaimo, Konnyaku, Carrots and  Spinach.

The desert, Youkan with Mount Fuji, was also included in this last box.

We discussed kimonos and all enjoyed watching E. trying one with the help of Akiko's mother.

We all had a great time and I guess this is the first step for a great year to come.

# posted by Famille Hochner @ 6:59 PM