Chow Chow the Ancient Dog Roaming in Taiwan. Curry the WWII Secret Weapon - NHK Manpuku Anthropology

I have been watching Manpuku on Netflix for several months now - I picked up episodes on an irregular basis and I have not finished.

'Taiwan Travelogue' publishing success in May, however, made me re-think about the drama from an anthropological angle - fictional Japanese writer Aoyama's 1938 visit to Taiwan. Manpuku era begins at late 1930s.

It's interesting and before I forget - here is a list of what I consider worth-noting.

 'Chow Chow from China' was shown on one Manpuku scene where Chow Chow the ancient dog from northern China was mentioned.

1. The Chow-Chow and its significant presence in indigenous history 

Georgius Candidius recorded 'ethatao' 'ayam mamiang', both associated with 'long white-haired dogs' (according to translated 17th Dutch document).

"Georgius Candidius (1597 – 30 April 1647) was a Dutch Reformed Church missionary to Dutch Formosa from 1627 to 1637. He was the first missionary to be stationed on the island. In 1632 he married Saartje Specx, daughter of Governor-General Jacques Specx." Saartje Specx -  HERE

The Chow Chow dog relations with Indigenous Taiwanese (north-south-east) 17-20th century. HERE HERE 

2. Ayam Dog or Ayam Bird

Georgius Candidius recorded 'ayam' dog (The Philippines) not 'ayam' bird (Malay and Indonesian).

Ayam means Dog in several Philippines languages.

Ayam means Bird/Chicken in Malay and Indonesian.

Both meanings trace back to the ancient Proto-Malayo-Polynesian word *qayam (meaning animal 'pet')

At Java Indonesia

ayam bird/chicken Indonesian (IN) used in indigenous Taiwanese languages Japanese recorded in 1930s. 

Siraya language revitalization - ayam dog (Siraya) shown on 17th century Dutch document has not been adopted under 21st century revitalization - instead, ayam bird (same as most other revitalized indigenous dictionary ) is used.

3. Mitsu - Mame (みつ-まめ )

mame (まめ or 豆) sweet red bean is the key ingredient of this dessert but mame translation is absent from Taiwan Travelogue chapter title in the English edition. HERE 

pre 1941. western tinned food were primarily luxury items

4. 真鯛 (Pagrus major/red seabream) - madai sahimi premium Japanese delicacy. 

嘉臘/過臘魚 kalah is Taiwanese name for 鯛 red seabream - 臘 (la) refers to twelfth lunar month (winter). 

台灣鯛 (tilapia) is generally known as 吳郭魚. HERE Taipeitimes.

5. Menma (メンマ) - fermented bamboo shoots, classic topping of Ramen. Not a traditional nor common noodle condiment in Taiwan although Taiwan was a dominant Menma supplier during Japanese colonial. 

Instant noodle (chicken flavour) in 1900s at Dadaocheng, Taipei. HERE

6. Bamboo Fence Fish Trap 

Spearfishing and Bamboo trap - Catching fish scenes very similar to (such as) Atayal's. HERE and HERE

7. 芋 Imo - root vegetables, tubers

Jagaimo Japanese word for potato, comes from a combination of Jakartatara (the old name for Jakarta) and imo.

Sweet potato 芋 vital staple ration food during times of severe food scarcity, particularly in mid-20th-century Asia, including Taiwan. see HERE

‘rokol’  Saisiyat word for taro borrowed from Japanese 里芋 - something I noticed from Japanese account of Da-ai short people myth and tale. 

8. Beef. Curry. Pineapple tinned food (1947 Osaka)

"Curry powder became a secret weapon for home-front cooks during World War II. Since spices like turmeric, coriander, and cumin were imported primarily from countries outside the immediate European conflict zones, curry powder remained largely unrationed and affordable throughout the war."

1947 Osaka Tinned Food Supplies

There are green beans, pineapple, and corned beef tins. But it's the Curry that I had question with. I asked Victor Chan my friend and he responded 'Tora" (means Tiger) and then I saw the Tiger labels.

Curry - The Food in WWII. 

I am not sure about 'Tiger curry powder' role in post-WWII tinned supplies to Asia. Neither am I sure about Tiger-curry history. But there must be a reason this curry label appeared in Osaka 1947 (at least for this NHK drama)

Nevertheless Curry in WWII appears fascinating - online source: 
Indian Army Rations: The British Indian Army served slow-cooked curry, chapattis, and lentils as field rations to feed troops while respecting diverse religious and caste diets. These meals were vital for troop morale. Source HERE

Japanese Military: The Japanese military served curry extensively in canteens and aboard ships. The wheat-flour roux used in the dish provided helpful nutrients, and the military diet helped make curry a massive favorite across Japan after the war. Source HERE

• 1747: Curry in England

• 1870: English curry reaches Japan

• mid-1880s: Curry becomes a standard military dish

• early 20th century: Curry entrenched in the military, and many sailors and soldiers are exposed.

• 1930s and 1940s; Curry in canteens, etc.

• post-war: Curry becomes widely eaten.
  
  

The Age of Curry - A Question from the Taiwan Travelogue HERE (Last but not least - Great article from Mirada Brown).