| Have you ever wondered about... |
Osechi-ryōri? |
Source Information: Japanese-English Dictionary of Japanese Culture, Matsuri: Festival, Nancy K. Araki and Jane M. Horii, 1978, Heian International Publishing Company, Torrance CA |
By Emy Murakawa
Osechi-ryōri -- its literal and original meaning is seasonal festive occasion food. In Japan, it is now primarily reserved for New Year’s. Here in the U.S., although it is most certainly an integral part of oshōgatsu, we also see osechi-ryōri at parties, picnics, and other special occasions. Not only do we partake of it outside of New Year’s, we have modified what it is by including things like tempura, sushi, teriyaki, Jell-o™, char siu, and other popular items.
Oshōgatsu is a major holiday in Japan, lasting for as many as seven days, unlike here in the U.S. where we party hearty from New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day. (I remember many a struggle trying to get up New Year’s morning for zōni!) In Japan, however, preparation for the New Year includes days of work clearing out the old, then days of celebration bringing in the new. All cleaning, cooking, and working is completed before New Year’s and set aside so the Shichi-Fukujin (Gods of Fortune – Ebisu, Daikoku, Benten, Bishamon, Fukurokuju, Jurōjin, and Hotei), who are said to arrive on New Year’s Eve, are not startled out of the house by any bustle or swept out by cleaning.
Osechi-ryōri was probably prepared to accommodate the desire not to create bustle on New Year’s. The contents are all foods that can be prepared ahead and will not readily spoil for several days. They are traditionally placed in a jūbako (a square container made of porcelain or lacquerware, three to four stacks high, with a cover on top). Osechi-ryōri in these containers is sometimes called jūzume-ryōri (literally, food packed in a jūbako).
| Traditionally, osechi-ryōri is a variety of foods artistically arranged in the jūbako and usually served with toso, a spiced rice wine which is said to have the power to drive away evil and to invite health for the year. The top box of the jūbako is arranged with appetizers (kuchitori), including kazunoko (herring roe, homonym for many children), tatsukuri (candied dried small sardines), sliced kamaboko (fish cake), kuri kinton (sweetened bean paste with beans or chestnuts, kuri meaning repeat, and kin meaning gold, representing prosperity), etc. The second box contains yakimono (broiled foods) like tai (sea bream, tai coming from the word omedetai, meaning celebratory or congratulatory, representing good fortune) and ebi (lobster or shrimp. The bent back is representative of old age and, therefore, longevity.). The third box contains nimono (boiled or stewed foods) such as kobumaki or other konbu (kelp, kobu taken from the word yorokobu which means to be glad or joyful, representing happiness) and other vegetables (traditionally including such things as takenoko or bamboo shoots, satoimo |
An example of Kuchitori
An example of Yakimono |
or taro, shiitake or black mushroom, but which now often includes carrots and string beans). The fourth and bottom box contains sunomono (vinegared foods) made of vegetables, sometimes with fish (kamaboko, crab, shrimp, etc.) added.
As much a part of my life as the jūbako has been, I never knew that there was an “order” to its use – I admit to putting whatever, wherever, whenever! We are fortunate that while many of us do not know how to prepare many of these traditional dishes, living in Southern California, all the major Japanese markets will prepare osechi-ryōri on order for New Year’s, from basic and simple to complete and elaborate! Even in Japan, many people now order osechi-ryōri rather than cook it. Then, there are those of us lucky enough to still have baachan (or mothers and aunts who were taught) who observe it the traditional way and cook it for us. To me, it always tastes so much better that way!
By Gail Sharp
January Photo
“One Picture is worth 10,000 words.”
According to an ancient Chinese proverb:
“One picture is worth 10,000 words.”
But, we’re not asking for that many…
What about a 100 or so? What can you tell us about this picture? Who are these people? What were they doing? When was it taken? What significance to our Community Center does the photo represent? Is this you? Is this your father, uncle, brother, or friend?
We invite you to contact us with the details and we’ll write 100 words (or maybe 10,000) in our new featured corner article, Talk Story. Contact us via email with the subject "Talk Story" and the date of the article.
