Pork or Friend?(PART 2 OF 3)
Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
(徳川 綱吉)
(February 23, 1646 – February 19, 1709)
He was the fifth shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty of Japan.
He is known for instituting animal protection laws, particularly for dogs.
This earned him the nickname of "Dog shogun."
Owing to religious fundamentalism, Tsunayoshi sought protection for living beings in the later parts of his rule.
In the 1690s and first decade of the 18th century, Tsunayoshi, who was born in the Year of the Dog, thought he should take several measures concerning dogs.
A collection of edicts released daily, known as the Edicts on Compassion for Living Things (生類憐みの令) told the populace, inter alia, to protect dogs, since in Edo there were many stray and diseased dogs walking around the city.
Therefore, he earned the pejorative title "Inu-Kubō (犬公方)."
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In 1695, there were so many dogs that Edo began to smell horribly.
An apprentice was even executed because he wounded a dog.
Finally, the trouble was taken to a distance, as over 50,000 dogs were deported to kennels in the suburbs of the city where they would be housed.
They were apparently fed rice and fish which were at the expense of the taxpaying citizens of Edo.
SOURCE:"Tokugawa Tsunayoshi"
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An apprentice was even executed because he wounded a dog. Unbelievable! So, in those days, life of a dog was valued more than that of a human in Japan, wasn't it?
Yes, you're darn right.
Then the Japanese have been dramatically changed since those days, haven't they?
How do you mean?
Kato, do you like dolphins?
Yes, of course, I do. Dolphins are quite intelligent. Personally, I like dolphins more than dogs.
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SeaWorld's Old "Dolphin Discovery" Show (in HD)
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I really adore those intelligent creatures. As a matter of fact, dolphins have long played a role in human culture. For example, dolphins are common in Greek mythology and there are many coins from ancient Greece which feature a man or boy or deity riding on the back of a dolphin. The Ancient Greeks welcomed dolphins; spotting dolphins riding in a ship’s wake was considered a good omen.
But, Kato, do you know that the Japanese are slaughteing those dolphins in Japan?
Are you sure about that?
Look at the following video clip.
Story of Dolphin Slaughter in Japan
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Yes, yes, yes, ... now I recall those incidents. This place called Taiji (太地町、和歌山県) is quite famous as a whaling town for hundreds of years. The people in Taiji have been hunting whales and dolphins for several centuries. In fact, they spearheaded the development of more sophisticated traditional whaling techniques in the 17th century.
But killing dolphins is extraordinary and inhumane. Don't you think so, Kato?
Yes, yes, yes, ... I agree with you, Diane. So, in 1988, a ruling by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) caused Taiji to suspend commercial whaling. However, the town continues to hunt small whales and dolphins. Taiji's annual dolphin hunt is a subject of controversy and the town faces continued pressure from protest groups. The above clip is obviously made by one of those groups, I suppose.
So, Kato, you know those killing incidents, don't you?
Yes, I do. Whales and dolphins are traditionally considered as food in Japan, and are killed in harpoon or drive hunts. But, generally speaking, the Japanese seldom eat whale or dolphin meat becuse both meats are not so tasty. In fact, I've never eaten dolphin meat in my life.
Why not?
... Simply because you can't find dolphin meat in fish shop nor in sushi restaurant.
So, Kato, you're saying that whale or dolphin meat is eaten mostly in fishing towns like Taiji.
I'd say so. Once or twice I've eaten some whale meat, but I didn't like it. As far as I'm concerned, I've never seen dolphin meat in my life.
So, Kato, you're saying that most Japanese are dolphin-friendly and don't eat dolphin meat at all.
Yes, I'd say so. As I said, I've never eaten dolphin meat at all in my life. The Japanese definitely prefer fish meat like tuna and bonito to mammal meat such as whale and dolphin.
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Tuna
So, Kato, you're againt eating mammal meat, aren't you?
Personally, I don't like mammal meat. I prefer fish meat, but I wouldn't despise you even if you ate dolphin meat.
Why is that?
Well ... In some cultures, even cannibalism is going on. For example, the Korowai in the western part of New Guinea are one of very few tribes still believed to eat human flesh as a cultural practice. It is also still known to be practiced as a ritual and in war in various Melanesian tribes.
So, Kato, are you saying that such a practice is considered normal in some cultures?
Yes, I am. Even in our civilization, cannibalism has been occasionally practiced as a last resort by people suffering from famine. A famous example is the ill-fated Westward expedition of the Donner Party, and more recently the crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571, after which some survivors ate the bodies of dead passengers.
But, I heard that some people on the plane refused to eat human flesh and chose to die instead.
I don't blame the survivors. Nobody can force others to obey his or her rule.
I see. So, Kato, you're saying that nobody should be celf-centered, aren't you?
Yes, I am. As you always say, Diane, everybody should be open-minded. I hate self-righteous people.
By the way, Kato, when do you take me to your favorite ramen shop?
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So, Diane, you wanna eat a famous Japanese ramen, instead of pork meat chop, eh?
Yes, I'd love to.
Okay ... I'll take you to the famous ramen shop on Robson Street in Vancouver.
山頭火 Main Shop in Japan
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This shop is in Sapporo City, Hokkaido---the northern island of Japan, isn't it?
Yes, it is. At least, you can feel the atmosphere of the genuine ramen shop.
【Himiko's Monologue】
Well ... It looks tasty, doesn't it?
Which do you like better?
Pork meat chop or ramen?
Personally, I like a bowl of miso ramen.
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Why is that?--- you may ask.
Well, to tell you the truth, I keep myself in this good shape with a ramen-diet.
Am I in a good shape?
You bet on that!
In any case, I hope Kato will write another interesting article soon.
So please come back to see me.
Have a nice day!
Bye bye ...
(To be followed)