Throughout the world New Year's eve is about getting together with friends and spending a fun evening while imbibing oneself with spirits and hanging over on the first day of the year. Even in Japan, where alcoholism is probably higher than the international average, New Year's celebrations are about being at home, quiet with family. The first day of the year is more about being with family more and engulfing oneself with the best food you can possibly get your hands on.
The traditional food is Osechi Ryouri ("Osechi" just being the name of that particular food and "ryouri" meaning cuisine), however, many families stray beyond tradition and will put together gourmet food of some kind totally unrelated to Japanese culture - something they don't normally eat but have the occasional craving for. Our option a couple years ago while in Hawaii, was Mexican food at the food court in Ala Moana Shopping Center. Last year it was extra crispy Kentucky Fried Chicken and the kids had one of their favorites, tuna sashimi.
The bringing in of the new year is also a traditional celebration where people gather with friends to eat Toshiko Soba ("Toshiko" meaning bringing up a new year, and "Soba" being a word for the noodles), then going to the neighborhood temple for a prayer. My brother-in-law, Ken, who is a bit younger, brings it in a pseudo-modern manner. Ken gathers with friends, goes to the same place every year to have Toshiko Soba at about 11 p.m., then heads to a lookout over Yokohama Port to watch the fireworks blast at 12 a.m. - a mix of both traditions.
Mt Hiura (日浦岳)
3 か月前
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿