HAPPY NEW YEAR
01.01.2025
We are all a bit tired after our midnight excursion to the temple. This morning we had another feast for breakfast.
New Year’s Food is called Osechi-ryori. This special food is usually packed into squared boxes called jubako and is eaten throughout the first few days of the year. Youko used small dishes instead of jubako. Each dish has symbolic meanings, such as black beans for health, herring roe (kazunoko) for fertility, and red and white fishcake for good fortune. Red and white are associated with festive occasions because they symbolise good luck, happiness, and purity. Osechi is often accompanied by a soup with mochi (rice cakes) and vegetables.
Youko and Mami had been shopping for Osechi-ryori since 29th December. Have a look at the pictures and you will see why breakfast is so important to Japanese people. I ate a little but my body at the moment, is not coping well with the change in diet. So breakfast for me at the moment is cereal and fruit until my digestive system is functioning better than it is currently.
We are both trying to encourage both Yoshi and Youko to exercise a bit more and improve their fitness and health. We took Youko to Koiji Park’s walking track but Yoshi stayed home. I did four laps while Mami and Youko did three which was a good effort. Youko mentioned that she enjoys walking as well as chatting to Mami. Mami is encouraging both of them to do some Yoga with her in the morning. Their response has been a bit tepid, but it’s important so we’ll keep trying.
After walking, we visited Hamamoto Coffee, had lunch, then looked for my man bag. We have 2 options for my man bag. I still haven’t decided which one, however we will have another attempt at finding a bargain in Hiroshima tomorow.
Japan has a special name for the first major shopping event of the New Year, Hatsuuri. It features sales, discounts, and the popular tradition of lucky bags, fukubukuro which you might remember from the previous blog. We really hope we can be lucky to find what we are looking for.
Two last things before I sign off on this very short blog.
First Thing. Japan has an anime character who is made out of bread, called Anpan Man. Pan is Japanese for bread. When Anpanman gets in strife and loses a limb, he doesn’t go to the hospital, he goes to a bakery!! So, so, so, Japanese!! Mami was pulling funny faces today and I want to see if you agree that the face she pulled was very similar to Anpan Man. I would like a vote on this with my vote already saying she looks very much like Anpan Man.
Second Thing. After dinner this evening, we played two games of Qwirkle and we got points 4, 3, 2, 1, for each game. I can’t tell you who was the overall winner after two games, as I don’t like to brag!!
