The reader writes:

Well, a semi-traditional Japanese New Year’s table mixed with our Christmas decor.  Fresh soba noodles, futomaki (country style vegetarian sushi), tuna rolls, inari (fried tofu wraps, and triangle rice “balls” filled with smoked salmon), vegetable stew of lotus root, carrot, kelp, gobo and taro root), sashimi (tuna, yellowtail, squid w/ grated daikon and shiso leaves) and tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet – cordon bleu type coating), loads of pickles – washed down with sake & plum wine.  Happy New Year’s all.