Happy New Year from the Asakawas

For the past 15 years, my husband Bruce and I have continued the family tradition of hosting a New Year's Day open house for our family and friends serving many of the traditional Japanese foods important to the beginning of the new year. In addition to ozone (pronounced o-zone-ee, a clear soup with vegetables and toasted mochi to insure a clear future), cooked root vegetables (to signify deep family roots) and lobster with long antennae (to bring good fortune), Bruce creates a Kadomatsu or "gate pine" arrangement. Dating back to Japan's Edo period, it is traditionally made from pine branches, bamboo and plum blossoms and placed at the entry to welcome visitors. The pine (matsu) stands for longevity, vitality and constancy, while the bamboo symbolizes strength and flexibility (it bends in the wind, but does not break) and the plum blossoms represent new beginnings, sweetness and purity. Since we have no plum blossoms this time of year, Bruce substitutes Bird of Paradise flowers that flourish for us even in winter. May 2012 bring you a clear future, strong ties of family and friendship and a fresh beginning filled with sweetness, strength and vitality.