おせち料理 (Osechi-Ryouri)
Osechi (おせち) is the special fancy food for new year time, for thanking the great harvest to the god. It is made with the harvest for the season. Each ingredient used in this dish have unique meanings;
黒豆 Black beans
Bean (まめ) has the same pronunciation as active(マメな人-Mame na Hito), so wishing to be active and healthy
数の子 Herring Roe
It has a lot eggs therefore it has a wish for descendants prosperity
昆布巻き Kelp Roll
昆布(Konbu) is implied as 喜ぶ(Yorokobu) meaning of pleased. Wishing good health and long life
栗きんとん Sweet Chestnuts with mashed sweet potato
The golden colour links to the gold, therefore wishing for more fortune
Etc…
Osechi is fitted inside the two to three tier lacquered box, as it has the wish that the happiness comes repeatedly.
This traditional custom came from China and it became common in japan in Nara to Heian era.
Itadakimasu! (いただきます)
Little Japan Dictionary 
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