Monthly Feature: August
Somewhat late, but here’s something fun for you guys this month!
Look at all that tasty food!
I’m afraid to tell you that it’s all actually fake; nothing more than plastic!
Perhaps some of you are already familiar with the quite wonderful yet wacky world of shokuhin sanpuru, but after a friend of mine discovered that this was actually an industry in Japan, much to her great surprise, I thought it would make a fun theme for the month.
I don’t think I have ever seen this kind of thing outside of Japan (perhaps in South Korea, but I honestly can’t recall) and even up close these dishes look super real. You’ll find them in shop and restaurant windows to show you what’s on offer inside. According to this article from The Japan Times, it is thought that this practice began in the Showa Period (1926 - 1989, and the period just before the current period, Heisei). Apparently, back then menus weren’t all that common, and this was a way for potential customers to find out what was on the menu without having to ask about it. From the Meiji Period onwards, Japan was rapidly exposed to all kinds of foreign foods and goods, so it was probably also easier to just show people what these new dishes were!
If you’re enticed by these fancy, fake dishes, do not despair! You can get your mitts on a variety of miniature phone straps that echo these designs. UK followers, your best bet is Tofucute! Followers elsewhere, please let everyone know where they can get these in your country~ Of course, if you are in, or will be visiting, Japan, you’ll be able to find these straps quite easily.
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Photo from Mag.Japaaan.com