Osechi Ryori - Japanese New Year foods

Osechi ryori was eaten for the first time 650 years ago, and the osechi served today was eaten for the first time 300 years ago. Zoni, the soup served with rice cakes, traditionally made from duck stock, goes back as far as the Muromacahi period (14th century). It originally referred to the foods offered to the god of the New Year. The food was cooked together and then shared by the whole family. However, during the Edo era, zoni became so popular that it was eaten every day.
Osechi is eaten during the first three days of Shogatsu, prepared ahead of time, so that the mother of the house can share in the joys of oshogatsu without spending all her time in the kitchen. Osechi is also offered to the household god on a small table, each with its meaning, just as the ones in the jubako.