This was taken by Kenneth A. Hamada and is one of three photos submitted for Discover Nikkei’s Nima-kai 2020-2021 Oshogatsu Traditions photo activity.

*****

I was forced to attempt making my first Osechi Ryori at the age of 70 years old due to the stay-at-home restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic preventing social gatherings. No family get together meant no traditional feast of Japanese food. So, as a 70 year old single man, I had to make this in order to still observe the holiday traditionally.