Ready for a new year's day

Finally, only 1 day is left in 2011><

It is so fast, isn't it?

And this will be the last post of this year.

Today, I would like to introduce about the new year's day in Japan.

As you lnow we eat "Osechi" for celebrating the beggibgin of the year

and therd are some special meanings for every food.

I also would like to tell you about my original "Date-maki"

and tips to make it.

There are a prenty of food in Osechi,

so I will introduce some famous food in here.

1) kamaboko (Fish sausage):

it is eaten because of its celebrational colour.

2) Date-maki:

"Date" means fabulous and gorgeous.

it also originate a famous Samurai, Date Masamune.

its shape looks like scrolled book,

so it is used for improvig knowledge.

3) Kurikinton (Sweet chestnuts):

"Kinton" means gold and it looks like a real gold.

4) Kombu (Seaweed):

Japanese pronunciation is similar to "Yorokobu (Preasure)".

5) Namasu (Sweet-soured carots and Japanese radish):

it imitates white and red band for celebrating.

6) Renkon (Lotus root):

to be able to look into faraway.

7) Tai (Sea bream):

Its Japanese name sounds "Medetai (Happy)".

8) Shrimp:

its shape and barbel is similar to old man

so it means wish for liveing longer.

9) Kuwai:

it grows long germ so it means wish for success.

10) Gobo (Burdock root):

because it grows strong root into the ground.

11) Satoimo (Taro)/Yatsugashira:

wish for having lots of children.

12) Kuromame (Black bean):

To be able to work harder and frequently.

In my house,

every yeay we prepare the Osechi

and eat it with relatives.

In case of Datemaki,

it is homemade in my house.

Using "Hampen (Fish minced and stamed)" and toss in the blender

is secret tip to make it^^

Please try it!!

You can be able to make it delisious!!

We also eat "toshikoshi-soba" in the new year's day.

People eat it with wish for live longer, thiner.

However, basically we have to finish eating it before entering the new year.

Eating after the new year,

it is said that

it may bring bad luck...

oh, me gosh.

I have done this before many times...^^;

Anyway,

I heartily hope that

you everyone will have a wonderful day

and spend a meaningful year of 2012.

It is a little bit earlier, but......

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!