The whiteness is like the soul, people say; it should not even be stained with soy sauce. Its relationship with fish reflects a shared provenance: water. Rice is part of the concept of harmony and communality that the Japanese hold so dear. It is the only dish that is shared from a common bowl. A famous proverb written about rice serves as a metaphor for humility, a virtue the Japanese hold dear: “The heavier the head of rice, the deeper it bows.”
An excellent article from the Economist (here) regarding Japan’s cultural and historical ties to rice and how the relationship with rice is changing in modern Japan. {Thanks to Rudy for forwarding me this great article.}
