The lexical meaning of the word "sushi". "Sushi": meaning and interpretation of the word

Fashion for Japanese cuisine has long engulfed the whole world. We use rolls, sushi, exotic soups and salads with great pleasure, not particularly delving into the historical background of their appearance, nor in their original meaning. Meanwhile, the knowledge of the lexical meaning of the word "sushi" of many admirers might surprise. Simply because it has acquired a modern meaning not so long ago.

Sushi: what is sushi, meaning and interpretation of the word

The very method of processing in Japan has existed since ancient times. And not only in the country of the Rising Sun, but also in the nearby Asian states, even if it had other names there. However, initially the lexical meaning of the word "sushi" was reduced to a method of preserving and preserving seafood, mainly fish. In literal translation, sushi, in fact, means "pickled (or canned) fish". The essence of the technology was that small slices of carcasses poured (generously!) Salt and boiled rice. This mixture was laid first under pressure, and a month and a half later it was closed with a lid. During the aging time, due to lactic fermentation, the starting product became canned. He could safely have a whole year.

A bit of history

By the way, in traditional Japanese cooking, the dishes were originally prepared from such fish, and the rice that participated in its harvesting was discarded: it became sticky and acquired an extremely unpleasant smell. It is noteworthy that originally such a conservation was invented in South Asia, and to Japan it got through China and Thailand about a century in the seventh. And in China later this technology was completely forgotten.

Closer to the present

The second lexical meaning of the word "sushi" appeared only at the beginning of the XIX century. Tokyo chef Yohei Hanai made a real revolution in cooking, refusing to pre-marinate seafood and starting to lay them in the dish in raw form. Now the definition of sushi is "a dish of raw fish with rice." However, not all types of land necessarily include fish. It can be replaced by seafood, vegetables and cheese. Sometimes the dish includes combinations of all the ingredients listed.

Despite the fact that the term refers to polysemantic words, "sushi" in the modern world is only perceived as the name of a dish. The original meaning is not remembered, probably, even by the Japanese themselves. In any case, most of them.

We will understand in terms of

Even knowing the lexical meaning of the word "sushi", many people refer to them all in a row snacks from Japanese cuisine. And rolls, and sushi - all under one comb (this attitude to an authentic dish can be seen in restaurants where it is served - almost everywhere). What often irritates connoisseurs and cultural bearers and Japanese chefs. Meanwhile, remembering the difference is not difficult at all. Sushi is a small lump of rice, on top of which there is a piece of fish, seafood or cheese. Roll is a roll, its shell is algae, and inside there are rice and other constituent fillings. Distinguish these dishes and the way they are cooked. Sushi is molded only by hands, for rolling rolls a special bamboo mat is required. By the way, it is due to the wrapping of varieties of rolls at times more than species of land.

Those who are curious about Japanese

The lexical meaning of the word "sushi" can change and depending on its writing - but only hieroglyphic. If we consider sushi as a dish, it is written in one sign and the semantic load is the same, the ancient one is marinated fish. However, a word can also be written with two characters. One of them is read as "su", the second as "shi"; When you say between the parts of the word, there is a tiny pause. In this case, the meaning of the word changes radically. The first part of it is translated as "longevity", the second implies "management". In the aggregate, the Japanese perceive such writing as the wish of all good, long and intelligent life. Now in many Japanese restaurants often a dish is designated in this way. As if its definition in the menu is given and at the same time there is respect for the visitor.

However, Western people are unlikely to notice and appreciate such subtleties. Nevertheless, in self-respecting restaurants, even located far from Japan, the writing of "sushi" with two hieroglyphs is gaining popularity.