2020.12.28

Les traditions culinaires au nouvel an japonais – Osechi Ryori (お節料理)

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Les célébrations du Nouvel An au Japon sont totalement différentes de celles de l’Occident, et la nourriture en est une grande partie!

Les célébrations du nouvel au Japon

Pour de nombreuses personnes en Occident, des vacances comme Thanksgiving et Noël (ou peut-être Hanouka ou, certaines années, le Ramadan) sont des chances de passer du temps réuni en famille, bien au chaud en hiver. Le Nouvel An, en revanche, n'est pour beaucoup qu'une grande fête et une excuse pour se saouler avec des amis ou votre petit.e ami.e. Mais ici au Japon, c'est l'inverse. La période précédant le jour de l'An est très importante pour de nombreuses familles japonaises et présente de nombreuses traditions différentes.

À ce jour, de nombreux Japonais écrivent des cartes du Nouvel An (appelées nengajou, 年賀状) à leurs amis, à leur famille et à ceux qui les ont affectés d'une manière ou d'une autre au cours de l'année écoulée. Parfois, c'est des centaines de personnes! Et un peu comme le ménage de printemps dans d'autres parties du monde, beaucoup de gens maintiennent la tradition de «osouji» (大掃除), un processus de nettoyage massif destiné à aider à démarrer la nouvelle année «propre et pure». Cependant, la partie la plus amusante des célébrations survient peut-être après le début de la nouvelle année. Dans les jours qui suivent le réveillon du Nouvel An, les Japonais mangent des plats riches en symboles, appelés «osechi ryori» (おせち料理).

Osechi ryori se compose généralement d'un certain nombre de petits plats, chaque plat étant précieux et préservé au fil des ans grâce à leur signification particulière. Tous les plats ne sont pas simplement un message de «bonne chance» – on dit que les ingrédients apportent à quiconque les mange une variété de bonnes fortunes. Les haricots noirs japonais (黒豆), par exemple, sont censés être un symbole de santé et également vous aide à travailler avec énergie tout au long de l'année. Les œufs de hareng (数の子; kazunoko), qui se présentent sous forme de morceaux solides de centaines de petits œufs, sont sans surprise un symbole des nombreux enfants et descendants qui viendront après vous. Manger des boulettes de châtaigne (栗きんとん; kurikinton) est destiné à apporter la prospérité financière, grâce à la couleur dorée de la patate douce, et les sardines (田作り; tatsukuri) sont censées vous apporter une bonne récolte, grâce à leur histoire d'utilisation par les agriculteurs japonais comme engrais!

On dit que la tradition derrière l'osechi ryori remonte à la période Heian (794-1185). C'était essentiellement un repas spécial qui était offert à diverses divinités, ainsi qu'à la royauté et aux aristocrates. Maintenant, c'est une façon de marquer la nouvelle année, et est mangée par tous ceux qui veulent participer à la tradition. Presque toutes les régions et tous les foyers du Japon ont leur propre version d'osechi ryori, mais dans la plupart des endroits, tous les petits plats sont servis dans des boîtes à bento en laque spéciales appelées jubako (重箱), brillantes, noires et d'un niveau supérieur à votre boîte-déjeuner normale. Les jubako sont souvent séparés en deux ou trois niveaux, et chaque couche de la boîte aura des plats différents ― au total, le nombre totalise bien plus d'une douzaine de plats différents.

Peut-être en raison de ses racines royales, la plupart des osechi ryori peuvent encore être assez chers, mais si vous êtes au Japon pour le Nouvel An, vous devriez quand même penser à y gouter! C'est une façon amusante de vivre l'une des nombreuses célébrations du Nouvel An au Japon, profondément ancrées dans la tradition ancienne. (N'oubliez pas de faire vos réservations à l'avance. Osechi ryori se mange à la maison, mais il est pratiquement impossible d'acheter le jour même.)

Nous espérons que tout le monde avait beaucoup de choses à célébrer cette année et nous attendons avec impatience ce que l'année prochaine a à offrir! Si vous cherchez quelque chose de traditionnel pour terminer l'année le soir du Nouvel An, assurez-vous d'essayer le toshikoshi soba (年越しそば) – il est de tradition de terminer l'année avec des nouilles soba et de la commencer avec le osechi ryori au Japon!

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- FUKUOKA
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  Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
- KAGOSHIMA
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  Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
- OKINAWA
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  The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.