Japanese-Style Western Cutlery of the Early Meiji Period

Let it never be said that learning how to use Western cutlery is easy to learn. Sure, you may have no problem using a knife and fork, but what about for Japanese people of the Early Meiji period? From their perspective, not only was it hard to learn but it was easy get injured by it.

along with the influx of western culture in the early meiji period came western styles of eating. however, number of injuries caused by the mishandling of western cutlery, with its sharp blades and pointed tines. the collections of cutleries were developed to enable their users to experience the new style of eating with traditional and more familiar material.

hiroko shiratori

As you can see, it's not only recently that Japanese folk have been taking Western inventions and putting their own spin on it. While you may look at Sony, and Toyota, and Yamaha and think to yourself "neato!" just remember that there is a continuous historical precedent. Japan will continue to innovate for that is the nature of their culture. And we all are better for it.

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