Have you ever wondered, “Why are these specific dishes included in osechi?” or “What meanings are hidden in each item?” You’re not alone — many people search for the meaning and origins behind this traditional New Year’s meal. In short, osechi is not just a celebratory meal for New Year’s. It is a traditional Japanese food deeply rooted in history, with each dish carrying symbolic wishes and cultural meaning. In this article, we will explore osechi from three perspectives: ① its historical background, ② the meanings embedded in each dish, and ③ how it is perceived and valued from an international viewpoint. By the end, the osechi you eat every New Year may feel richer, deeper, and more meaningful than ever before.
What Is Osechi? Understanding Its Meaning and Origins Through History
When did osechi culture begin?
Many people think of osechi simply as “a traditional New Year’s meal,” but its origins stretch much further back. Osechi is believed to have begun with court ceremonies called sekku (seasonal festivals) held in the Imperial Court. During these rituals, people offered food to the gods to express gratitude and prayers, and the dishes served were called osekiku — which later evolved into the word “osechi.”
As time went on, this culture spread from the aristocracy to the samurai class, and eventually to the common people. In the Edo period, preparing special dishes for New Year’s became common practice, and people began embedding wishes for health, prosperity, and good fortune into the foods they prepared. Over time, osechi developed into the symbolic and meaningful dish set we know today.
The original meaning of the word “osechi ryōri”
Originally, “osechi ryōri” referred to dishes prepared for all seasonal festivals throughout the year, not just New Year’s. The word “sechi” (節) means “seasonal milestone,” and the dishes prepared for these occasions were considered offerings for important turning points in the year.
Among all seasonal events, New Year’s carried the greatest importance as the symbolic “start of a new year.” Because of this, the dishes prepared for New Year’s gradually came to represent osechi more than other festival meals, and eventually the word came to refer almost exclusively to New Year’s cuisine. The multi-tiered osechi box we recognize today is a continuation of that tradition.
Elements that continue to live on in modern osechi
Today, osechi exists in many forms — beautifully crafted department-store osechi, luxurious hotel osechi, casual family-style osechi, and even Western-inspired or dessert-focused variations. While the appearance has evolved, three key cultural elements continue to be preserved.
First is the idea of “imbuing each dish with wishes” — such as health, prosperity, long life, or family happiness. Second is the practical tradition of preparing foods that keep well, allowing families to rest from kitchen work during the New Year holiday. Third is the social aspect — osechi is meant to be shared while gathering with family to celebrate the beginning of a new year.
The connection between osechi and seasonal milestones
Japanese culture has long valued “marking the turning points of the year.” Throughout history, food offerings were prepared for the gods first, after which people shared the same meal themselves — symbolically dining together with the divine. Osechi is deeply rooted in this worldview.
Just like the meals prepared for Girls’ Day or Boy’s Day, osechi represents one of the most important seasonal celebrations. As the meal served at the very start of the year, it holds a uniquely special place among Japanese seasonal traditions.
The Contents of Osechi and the Wishes Hidden Inside Each Dish
The meanings behind symbolic dishes such as kuromame, kazunoko, and tazukuri
Each osechi dish carries a story and a wish for the year ahead. For example, kuromame (sweet simmered black beans) symbolize “working diligently and living healthily,” playing on the word mame meaning both “bean” and “hard-working.” Kazunoko (herring roe) represents fertility and prosperity of descendants because of its many eggs. Tazukuri (candied dried sardines) symbolizes a bountiful harvest, originating from the fish once used as fertilizer for rice fields.
Through these symbolic meanings, osechi can be seen as “a meal of wishes,” where hopes for prosperity, health, and happiness are expressed through carefully chosen ingredients.
The origin of the “celebratory three dishes”
Although variations exist by region, certain dishes — such as kuromame, kazunoko, and tazukuri (or tataki-gobo in Kansai) — are known as the “celebratory three dishes.” These are considered the essential core of osechi because they collectively represent the most fundamental wishes for the New Year: health, prosperity, abundance, and stability.
Even in busy households today, many families make or purchase at least these three dishes to “properly welcome the new year.”
The meaning of the tiered jubako box and the symbolism of each layer
When people picture osechi, they often imagine a beautifully arranged multi-tiered lacquer box. The act of “stacking layers” in the jubako box symbolizes “layers of good fortune” and “happiness continuing into the future.”
The experience of opening each layer also enhances the sense of celebration — the anticipation, conversation, and shared excitement around the table are all part of osechi’s cultural role.
The roles of the first, second, and third layers
Although arrangements vary, there is a general tradition for what goes into each tier. The first layer often holds colorful celebratory foods such as kamaboko, datemaki, and kuri-kinton. The second layer usually includes grilled dishes such as sea bream. The third layer traditionally contains simmered dishes like nimono, representing harmony and gratitude for nature’s blessings.
Modern osechi is flexible and diverse, but knowing the meanings behind each layer allows people to create their own arrangements while still honoring the tradition’s spirit.
Osechi as Seen from Abroad — Global Interest and Cultural Expansion
How overseas Japanese and international visitors view osechi
From an international perspective, osechi is often seen as “a uniquely Japanese cultural art form.” The colorful presentation, small compartmentalized dishes, and symbolic meanings behind each item fascinate many overseas viewers.
For Japanese people living abroad, osechi carries deep emotional value — it represents family memories, identity, and connection to home. Many recreate simplified versions using local ingredients or order osechi from Japanese restaurants to celebrate New Year’s overseas.
The rise of fusion and multicultural osechi variations
In recent years, fusion-style osechi varieties — including Western-inspired dishes, vegetarian options, and multicultural menus — have begun to appear. Even when the cuisine style changes, the core essence remains the same:
Celebrating the New Year and sharing meaningful food with loved ones.
Osechi as a cultural storytelling food
Osechi is especially powerful as a tool for cultural communication. Each dish allows people to share not only flavors, but also stories about Japanese values, history, and hopes for the future.
In that sense, osechi functions almost like an edible cultural archive.
Applying Osechi’s Meaning to Modern Life
What we gain by learning the tradition behind osechi
Learning the meaning of osechi is not about being bound to rigid rules — rather, it helps us reinterpret the tradition in our own lives. Understanding the symbolism behind each dish allows families to reflect on what wishes and values they want to carry forward.
Osechi becomes not just a traditional meal, but a personal ritual.
Passing osechi to the next generation
Osechi will likely continue evolving as lifestyles change. Instead of preserving the tradition in a fixed form, the key is to carry forward its meaning — celebrating new beginnings, appreciating family, and honoring the cycle of time.
Even if only one dish is made or shared, the intention itself is what keeps the tradition alive.Osechi is not just about preserving the past — it’s a way to reflect on how we want to live the future.When the next New Year arrives, consider taking a moment to reflect on your own story and the wishes you want to place into your osechi.
What Osechi Teaches Us About Welcoming a New Year
Osechi is a traditional dish that has been passed down through generations, but at its core, it reflects how we choose to welcome a new year. By understanding the meanings behind each dish, we begin to see the stories of families, regions, and the values they carry. Even as its form changes over time, the spirit of honoring life’s milestones and gathering around the table remains unchanged. Rather than simply preserving tradition, osechi is a culture that adapts to our lives — allowing us to choose its meaning and carry it forward into the future.
