Osechi-ryori (御節料理)

Osechi-ryori (御節料理) are traditional Japanese New Year foods.
The tradition started in the Heian Period (794-1185).

Osechi are easily recognizable by their special boxes called jubako (重箱), which resemble bentō boxes. Like bento boxes, jubako are often kept stacked before and after use.

The term osechi originally referred to o-sechi, a season or significant period. New Year's Day was one of the five seasonal festivals (節句) in the Imperial Court in Kyoto. This custom of celebrating particular days was introduced from China into Japan.

Originally, during first three days of the New Year it was a taboo to use a hearth and cook meals, except when cooking zōni. Osechi was made by the close of the previous year, as women did not cook in the New Year.
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