Photo by © Kyodo via
The Japan Times
Vocabulary:
- practice /PRAK-tis/
- colloquially /kuh-LOH-kwee-uhl-lee/
- cuisine /kwi-ZEEN/
- legacy /LEG-uh-see/
- initiative /ih-NISH-ee-uh-tiv/
[noun] something that is usually or regularly done, often as a habit, tradition, or custom
There are some old practices of my generation that I don’t want to take on.
[adverb] words and expressions that are informal, more suitable for use in speech than in writing
His poetry is quite beautiful but when expressed colloquially, it has a different meaning.
[noun] a style of cooking
My best friend has an expensive taste when it comes to French cuisine.
[noun] something that is a part of your history or that remains from an earlier time
The late mayor has left us a legacy of good management.
[noun] a new plan or process to achieve something or solve a problem
It was a total disaster, initiatives done were not effective.
Nagano, a community located in central Japan is urging young people to learn how to catch and cook the local’s aquatic insects in order to preserve their dying practice. The famous insects are caddisflies and stoneflies larvae colloquially known as Zaza. According to a report, these insect cuisines were conserved before as sources of protein. As licensed fishers continued to decline in the community, serving insects food among locals also decreased. Thus, local authorities organized an activity where young people can catch and eat Zaza to preserve its legacy.
Last January 2019 at an event, students from a local agricultural high school watched a demonstration of three fishermen’s traditional skills for catching the larvae. After the catching-event, the students were served with the insects made into Tsukudani dish. Taisei Imamura, one of the students who participated, shared that the insect dish was crispy and it tasted like shrimp. Imamura also added that it was fun catching the larvae. Aside from this initiative, Nagano Prefecture and Ina City officials plan to advocate prefectural food through tasting events at boutiques in Tokyo.
Last January 2019 at an event, students from a local agricultural high school watched a demonstration of three fishermen’s traditional skills for catching the larvae. After the catching-event, the students were served with the insects made into Tsukudani dish. Taisei Imamura, one of the students who participated, shared that the insect dish was crispy and it tasted like shrimp. Imamura also added that it was fun catching the larvae. Aside from this initiative, Nagano Prefecture and Ina City officials plan to advocate prefectural food through tasting events at boutiques in Tokyo.
True or False:
- Nagano is discouraging young people to learn how to catch and cook Zaza.
- Insect dishes were treasured before as sources of Vitamin C.
- Three fishermen organized an activity where young people can catch and eat Zaza.
- The insect dish tasted like fermented grapes.
- Local officials of Ina City will coordinate with Tokyo officials in criticizing the traditional insect food.
Discussion Questions:
- What can you say about the insect food of Nagano?
- Do you think it is a good idea to promote the traditional insect dish of Nagano? Why or why not?
- Have you tried eating any exotic food? If yes, tell me more about it. If no, state your reasons.
- What is the custom that you want to continue practicing in today’s generation? Why?
- Why do you think it is important to maintain our cultural traditions?
Express Your Opinion:
- We should leave some old practices to die out.
- “Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay.” – Jiddu Krishnamurti
- “It takes and endless amount of history to make even a little tradition.” – Henry James