New Year Box

Everything included inside the box has special symbolism and meanings. For example, young bamboo shoots symbolise growth, and mashed sweet potato represents wealth and fortune because of the golden colour. Kazuko-san's mother had prepared our box as a present, so we tucked into it for breakfast on New Year's day. We also had toshikoshi soba, which means passage from the old year to the new year. Try digesting that for breakfast.