The stringy paper that wraps the rice ball used to be a bamboo leaf. This wrapping paper was made to resemble dried bamboo grass leaves. It is believed that bamboo leaves were introduced to Japan from Chinese zongzi (dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves) in ancient times. Bamboo leaves have antiseptic properties and have been used since the days of samurai warriors. (Sometimes you can see it in Japanese historical dramas.) In the old days, warriors used to wrap rice balls in bamboo leaves and eat them for lunch, and the bamboo leaves were fed to the horses they rode. Because of this history, there are local dishes using bamboo leaves all over Japan. These include sasazushi (bamboo grass sushi), sasadango (bamboo dumplings), sankaku chimaki (triangular rice cakes), sasamochi (rice cake made from bamboo grass), and sasamaki (bamboo roll). Sasazushi is said to have originated around the border of Niigata and Nagano prefectures, and was first served during the Warring States period under Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi, when rice and side dishes were served on a bamboo leaf. ◎Sasa dumplings originated in Niigata Prefecture, where they are made with dough kneaded with yomogi leaves, filled with red bean paste, wrapped in several bamboo leaves, and steamed. ◎Triangular chimaki also originated in Niigata Prefecture and was created in the late 700s. The filling is made by soaking glutinous rice in water overnight, wrapping it in bamboo leaves, simmering it, and then peeling off the bamboo leaves like a banana to eat it without getting your hands dirty. ◎Sasamochi originated in Fukushima and Niigata prefectures, where freshly pounded rice cakes made by everyone are wrapped in bamboo grass. ◎Bamboo grass rolls originated in Yamagata Prefecture and are said to have started around 800 at Mount Haguro, one of the three mountains of Dewa, a sacred place for Shugendo, and were eaten by Shugendo practitioners as a nutritious preserved food. The exact same dish exists in the southern part of Tsuruoka City in Kyushu under the name of lye roll. It is believed that this dish was introduced in the process of the Kitamae Ship, which was in business at that time, traveling around Japan by ship, buying local specialties and selling them at the next port. In Iwate Prefecture, where my grandfather lived, he wrapped pickled plums in bamboo leaves and took them with him when he went mountain stream fishing. Eating the pickled plums that seeped out of the bamboo leaves and sucked out little by little, was a logical way to replenish the salt and minerals in the food. I am sure there are many more if you look for them, so when you find them, remember them and think about the ancient history of Japan and the lives of its people.
Wow thank you for the history lesson! Of course these were all things I didn't know and I love learning new things this comment is amazing! I really appreciate you taking the time to write such an extensive comment and helping me know the history behind the food!
@@chrisandgin My late aunt was Yoko Sugi, who was considered a Showa-era actress. My aunt married an American and lived in Los Angeles, where she worked as a banquet manager at the Hotel New Otani in Little Tokyo while acting. Thirty-five years ago, when I was 20 years old, I stayed in Los Angeles, where my aunt lived, for about two months and had one major culture shock among many. It was every person I spoke to, every person I talked to said to me, 'Don't you love your country?' ' 'Why don't you know the history and culture of your own country?' 'Don't you want to know your roots?' I was told, 'You don't like your country? At the time, I didn't know what they were talking about or why I was different from them. However, as time went by, I had to learn about local cuisine because the company I worked for was one of the first to bring authentic Italian cuisine to Japan, and my experience in Los Angeles came back to me. As I studied, I was impressed by the historical and cultural aspects of Italian local cuisine and the smell of people's lives, and I felt ashamed of my ignorance of Japanese food culture. Since then, I have been interested in learning more about Japanese food culture in order to learn more about Italian cuisine. This is another important lesson that my aunt, her friends, Los Angeles, San Antonio, and Dallas have taught me. I am now returning the favor I received by sharing it with others.
I am happy to partake of your knowledge and quite happy that you are willing to share what you have learned. Maybe one day I can pass some of it on to other people too.
Hi. Chris. I'm big fun of your RU-vid channel. This episode is so sweet. I love that You showed us to how did you order Onigiri in Japanese ^^ that's cute. My hometown is Yonezawa. Have you ever been there? There are many amazing ramen shop. I'm sure you will love it. I hope you guys visit there someday and review it🥰
Thank you so much! I have never been to Yonezawa but I hope to go some day! I hope to go every where in Japan someday! I love ramen so I'm sure I would like your hometown!
