For celebrating a coming new year,
we Japanese make special plates on Dec. 31.
we set them in 2~3 boxes (at the right side) stacked vertically.
At the left side, wood cups and Sake-pitcher.
Open the boxes!
Each food materials have special meanings!
Watch the box at the left down.
For example,
White & Red Kamaboko (made of fish meat)
These 2 colors combination is a symbol of the celebration.
Kazunoko (Fish eggs)
Hoping many babies who will lead your family permanently in the future.
Kobu-maki (Seaweed)
The pronunciation of Kobu is similar to Yorokobu, which means 'pleasure' in Japanese.
Next, watch the right side above.
Kinton (made of chestnuts and sweet potatoes)
This gold color images gold coins, so, you will be a rich man!
Kuromame (black beans)
'mame-mame' means 'keep healthy and work well'
Tazukuri (very small fish)
'Ta' means 'farm' and 'zukuri' means 'making'
Many years ago, this small fish was useful as fertilizer.
Hoping good harvest in the farm.
Lastly watch the left above.
Renkon (vegetable with holes)
Through these holes, you can see the future well!
Gobho (Root vegetable)
Your life will be stable like the roots of Goboh which extend toward to the ground deeply.
Takenoko (Bamboo child)
Because Bamboo trees grow up very fast and straight,
hoping the children grow healthily same as Bamboo!