John Kessler’s “Sushi USA: The Japanese Paradigm” is another interesting essay dealing with food culture. Respond to the following questions about this reading.
1. How does Kessler compare Americans’ eating habits to the traditional eating habits of the Japanese? How are they different?
Kessler compared the traditional eating habits of the Japanese with those of the Americans and found that the Japanese have a different approach to satisfying their hunger than the Americans. Kessler argued that Americans focused on the quantity of food and included more fat in their dishes than Japanese cuisine, which focused on quality and comprised more calories with less fat in their diet. Japanese eat more dishes in small portions and prioritize vegetables and healthy protein, contrary to Americans.
2. What places does Kessler describe visiting in this essay? What does he learn from these places?
In the article, Kessler described that in 1983, he visited Kansai in Japan and learned about the secrets of the Japanese approach to eating healthy and nutritious food. He went to different restaurants and food places in the country and observed that Americans are wrong in their interpretation of Japanese eating styles as unhealthy.
3. What are some examples of the primary research Kessler includes in this essay?
The primary research that Kessler includes in the essay is his personal experiences in different eating places and restaurants in Japan.
4. What are some examples of the secondary research Kessler includes in the essay?
The example of secondary research in the essay is the use of statistical data, as the obesity rate among Japanese is 3%, in contrast to Americans’ 31%. Another example of secondary research is the reference to a Japanese cookbook named Washoku in the article.
5. Which of these two essays, “Sushi USA” and “Friday Night at Iowa 80”, do you find more interesting? Explain your response.
From two essays, “Sushi USA” and “Friday Night at Iowa 80”, Sushi USA is fascinating because it provides the details of a healthy approach to eating that is misrepresented in America. The essay motivates people to eat healthily by adopting Japanese eating styles.
6. Which of these two essays do you feel is more ethnographic? Explain your response.
Sushi USA is a more ethnographic essay because it focuses on a particular culture and its people. The essay includes details about Japanese and American cultures in terms of their eating habits. Further, it avoids information about any other group of people or cultures; therefore, Sushi USA is considered a more ethnographic essay.
Cite This Work
To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:
