Reading Food in Modern Japanese Literature

Japanese literature abounds in food; descriptions of meals; preparation and ingredients. Readers of these works in translation are likely to miss the cultural significance of what is eaten and what is said about it. Aoyama (Japanese language and literature; university of Queensland; Australia) educates readers and students of Japanese literature about the use of food and signifier; symbol and metaphor. She uses literature of many types to make her points; memoir; novels; children's books; ''women's'' literature from the Meiji period to the present day. In many cases the discussion of food is gender specific and one chapter is devoted to women and food. Aoyama also studies the extremes of eating; such as cannibalism; to see how actions outside the bounds of society are treated. Her own use of language as something to be ingested and slowly digested adds much to the enjoyment of her work. Annotation ©2009 Book News; Inc.; Portland; OR (booknews.com) Buy now the item at ONLY: 20.95