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In my experience the Chinese very much think this as well. Though it can be framed in a more derogatory way as "derivative" or "they just copied us" I'd argue
by geokon 1mo ago
In my experience the Chinese very much think this as well. Though it can be framed in a more derogatory way as "derivative" or "they just copied us"
I'd argue its difficult to find major aspects of Japanese culture that don't trace back to ancient China (maybe the language, eating raw food and sumo)
- einichi 1mo agoShinto is a big one
- IAmBroom 1mo agoSushi is exceedingly modern. It's "derived" from a fish preservation method... which relies on salting and fermenting, so not really "raw" (more like sauerkraut than shredded cabbage).
- geokon 1mo agoI had no idea! Very interesting. Even though it's so central to people's regional identity and general culture, a lot of Chinese food also has surprisingly recent origins. It's especially surprising b/c people generally are quite orthodox about their cooking and are rarely "experimental" (as in the west) - like the high brow seriousness surrounding sushi with it's standards and traditions. So it gives it a sense of historical gravity that's not actually there
- IAmBroom 1mo agoThat's a great point! The ritualistic "dressing" of sushi makes it seem ancient and enshrined.