Japanese Curry
In Japan, curry is just as much a national dish as sushi or ramen.
Key words
- Unscrupulous: behaving in a way that is dishonest or unfair in order to get what you want
Counterfeit documents make it easier for unscrupulous employers to knowingly hire illegal workers.
- Ironically: in a way that is interesting, strange, or funny because of being very different from what you would expect
Ironically, the very tools that were supposed to liberate us have made us work longer hours than ever before.
- Infrastructure: the basic systems and services, such as transportation and power supplies, that a country or organization uses in order to work effectively
The war has badly damaged the country's infrastructure.
- Crucial: extremely important or necessary
Her work has been crucial to the project's success.
- Instrumental: if someone or something is instrumental in a process, plan, or system, that person or thing is one of the most important influences in causing it to happen
She was instrumental in bringing about the prison reform act.
Read the article to find the answers
- When was curry introduced to Japan?
- When did it become a national dish?
- Who designed Japan's first railway?
- What did Richard Henry Brunton do?
Curry introduced to Japan
The word curry was introduced into the Japanese language in the late 1860's. At the time, the Indian subcontinent was under British colonial rule, and the British Navy started using Indian spices in their meals, which eventually led to the creation of British-style curry.
Curry originated in India, but was popularised worldwide by the British, who created an all-in-one spice blend known as curry powder. In Japan, expensive curry powder imported from Britain was a luxury only the rich could afford.
This changed after unscrupulous traders were caught selling cheap local curry powder as expensive Crosse & Blackwell powder from England. Ironically, this gave a huge boost to local curry powder manufacturers such as S&B Foods, as people discovered they couldn't really taste the difference.
The solid block type of curry mix that is most popular today was first introduced in 1954, making it easier to prepare, and by the late 1960's Japanese curry was widely consumed and available in supermarkets and restaurants, eventually becoming a national dish. It has been the most popular dish on the national school lunch menu for at least three decades.
Japanese Navy Curry, described in the 1888 cookbook 'Navy Cooking Methods', became a staple meal for Japanese sailors and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force continues the tradition of 'Curry Friday' for sailors to this day.
Not Just Curry
British engineers played a major role in the modernisation of Japan, developing the country's infrastructure, particularly its railways and ports. They also played a crucial role in shaping engineering education and practice in Japan.
Engineers like Edmund Morel played a key role in training Japanese engineers and overseeing railway construction projects. Morel was the first foreign chief engineer appointed by the Japanese government. He designed Japan's first railway between Tokyo and Yokohama and helped establish the Ministry of Public Works in Japan.
Richard Henry Brunton was employed by the Japanese government to provide expertise and skills for various projects, including port development. He was responsible for the transfer of technology and training in port systems and construction methods that have been instrumental in making Japan the developed nation it is today.
Discussion questions
- Do you have any questions about any of the vocabulary or grammar in this article?
- What's your favourite Japanese food?
- What influence have the British had on your country?
- Who is your country's most famous engineer?
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