New Year's Day
Having had "noodles to see the old year out" for dinner the previous evening, the New Year's Day starts with Osechi & Otoso ("sake to see the new year in") at 8AM...


Sake in a box: "Special Limited Edition - Superlative Class Sake Brewed According to Top Secret Recipe"
First we drink it in these lacquered cups for special ceremonies**, then switched to normal glasses. Drunk at room temperature, it was very mild and delicious.
[**The crest is the Law Ministry's. And please don't ask me why these come in a set of three.]

Below right: Kids get some pocket money in little envelopes on New Year's Day. UsaKousa got 100 yen (a little under $1) each from me, and my father chipped in 5 yen for each too. The baby tangerines are for decoration, but I thought UsaKousa would like them...
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