Special dishes eaten over the New Year’s holidays are called osechi ryōri. Each osechi ryōri dish has its own meaning and wish embedded within it, such as herring roe for the prosperity of descendants, (black soybeans for diligence and good health, and tazukuri (small, dried sardines or anchovies cooked almost to dryness in soy sauce and sugar) for an abundant harvest.— Jreibun