Japanese Page

This is an alcoholic drink which we serve with osechi. Otoso is a kind of herbal medicine. It is made from sweet rice wine or sake. It was brought to Japan from China. Drinking otoso is said to drive out evil spirits, and we drink it before eating osechi with our families as a kind of toast. We also drink it with guests.



(chopsticks made from willow)

We use special chopsticks when we eat osechi-ryori. These are called yanagi-bash‚‰. They are white and strong. The middle is thicker than the ends, and eating with them is said to bring prosperity to one's descendants.