Current location:World Walkthrough news portal > sport
VOX POPULI: Manga artist exposes the juicy dynamics behind ‘oden’ factions
World Walkthrough news portal2024-05-21 13:04:21【sport】4People have gathered around
IntroductionFactions are essentially about “hanging around together with buddies,” manga artist Sadao Shoji obse
Factions are essentially about “hanging around together with buddies,” manga artist Sadao Shoji observes in his essay.
Wherever people gather, factions are formed, be it in neighborhood interactions or workplace relationships in a company.
Shoji then takes his musing on factions to an unexpected realm, declaring, “Even the world of oden is composed of factions.” This leap into the seemingly unrelated topic of the traditional Japanese hot one-pot dish is quintessentially characteristic of Shoji’s narrative style.
Within the steaming confines of an oden pot, separated into small partitions, the dynamics of factions kick in. Tofu-based ingredients, like “ganmodoki” (fried tofu fritters) and “atsuage” (thick fried tofu), belong to what Shoji amusingly dubs the “tofu clique.”
In competition are the fish paste faction, represented by “chikuwa” (tube-shaped fish paste) and “satsuma-age” (fried fish cake).
Although “konnyaku” (jelly-like food made from konjac yam) and “shirataki” (konjac noodles) hail from the same origins, they seldom share a plate, hinting at an unexpected animosity between them.
Shoji delves into these observations with a tongue-in-cheek seriousness that stands in sharp contrast with the lightheartedness of the subject.
Readers of Shoji’s gastronomic essays do not expect to glean practical advice or culinary tips.
Instead, they just enjoy imagining how they would savor certain hot dishes with Shoji, eaten in a manner often described as “haf haf” in Japanese, and nod with a “fumu fumu” murmuring of approval to the intriguing nuances of his observations, and ultimately find themselves amused and utter a “fufu” smothered laugh.
This is the essence of what could be called the “Haf Fumu Fufu” principle—a sequence of tasting the joy of engaging with his hilarious writings on eating.
Shoji’s popular serial column, “Are Mo Kuitai, Kore Mo Kuitai” (Raring to eat that dish and this one, too) ran in the Shukan Asahi weekly magazine for 36 years, a testament to his enduring appeal.
As the magazine was discontinued, I felt disappointment and sadness at the end of enjoying his column. But it made a heartening comeback this year in The Asahi Shimbun weekend supplement “be.” Its third installment was published on Feb. 10.
The themes of the first two installments of the column, published biweekly, were “The Personality of ‘Anko’ Sweet Bean Paste” and “The Global Expansion of Oden.”
He playfully speculates that should oden gain international recognition, “ganmodoki” might be pronounced “gahn-moh-DOH-kee,” displaying his signature laid-back humor, to the joy of his readers.
According to a colleague in charge of the column, upon the revival of his long-beloved column, Shoji expressed an eagerness to explore more topics, saying, “There are still many things I want to write about (in this column).”
Shoji’s insatiable gastronomical appetite is simply awesome for an 86-year-old.
--The Asahi Shimbun, Feb. 11
* *
*Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.
Address of this article:http://djibouti.bahnsport.org/html-22c399972.html
Very good!(474)
Related articles
- A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it
- The federal government plans to restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades region of Washington
- France and Urías hit 2
- Labour must match the Tories on defence spending, former Army chief warns Keir Starmer
- Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
- As some universities negotiate with pro
- Georgia tabs Cecile Landi, Simone Biles' longtime coach, as co
- Georgia tabs Cecile Landi, Simone Biles' longtime coach, as co
- Rangers are undefeated at .500 to keep World Series champs from a losing record with Bochy
- Man shoots his friend dead for taking a bite out of his girlfriend's burger
Popular articles
- Mystery artist who erected signs comparing pothole
- Cowboys get Oklahoma offensive lineman Tyler Guyton after trading down in NFL draft
- Ten stocks to invest in NOW to profit from Rishi's defence spending boost
- Reggie Bush plans to continue his fight against the NCAA after the return of his Heisman Trophy
Recommended
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
The 49ers take Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall with the 30th pick in the NFL draft
Ruins of ancient Taoist temple found in north China
Ravens pick Clemson CB Nate Wiggins in the first round, adding depth and speed to their secondary
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Packers take Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with 25th overall pick in NFL draft
Roger Goodell envisions more overseas games, more streaming and more cities hosting the NFL draft
Packers take Arizona offensive tackle Jordan Morgan with 25th overall pick in NFL draft
Links
- It's a boy! Scottie Scheffler arrives at PGA Championship with a newborn at home
- Gruesome horror movie scene voted 'most shocking' film opening in history by movie buffs
- Scottie Scheffler confirms birth of baby son in heartfelt Instagram post
- Padma Lakshmi, Halsey, Saweetie and Lucy Liu dazzle with high
- Florida man sentenced to 3 years in prison for firebombing California Planned Parenthood clinic
- Rory McIlroy insists he is 'way better' than his last Major win in 2014
- Pixie Geldof displays her legs in a thigh
- Major agricultural firm sues California over farmworker unionization law
- James Gregory dead at 78: Stand
- Bangladesh has faith in Taskin but not in Saifuddin for T20 World Cup squad