“Of Rice and Men”

[Roy]

The current issue of Time (Asia edition) has a whole section devoted to the upcoming WTO meeting scheduled for December 13 to 18 to be held in Hong Kong. Within this section is an excellent article written by Michael Schuman titled “Of Rice and Men.”

While this article focuses on the ever dwindling rice fields of Japan and South Korea, the article could just as easily been about Bali. Some interesting quotes from this article:

Farming is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and national psyches. The idea that indigenous farmers must be defended is a powerful one, because it is linked to ideals such as national self-sufficiency in food production, and even national identity.

Rice defines who were are

Japanese consumers pay as much as 10 times more for their rice than Americans

Efforts to preserve rice farming in Japan and South Korea may ultimately fail, not because of foreign competition, but because of long-term demographic changes.

Rice farmers are literally dying out. In Japan, 80% of them are more than 60 years old, while half of South Korea’s rice farmers are past that age.

It is sad to acknowledge that Bali is headed down this exact path. In our village, no houses are allowed to be built in any sawah. This has nothing to do with the house, per se, rather the presence of a septic system in the middle of a sawah producing rice not only to be consumed, but to made as offerings, is just not tolerable…in our village.

[balijeff]

*Sigh*

Its like what I say goes in one ear and out the other. :D

I'll post my thoughts on each quote:

Farming is deeply rooted in ancient traditions and national psyches. The idea that indigenous farmers must be defended is a powerful one, because it is linked to ideals such as national self-sufficiency in food production, and even national identity.

I guess not everyone agrees with that or it wouldnt be a problem. I guess some people think its better to sale their farmland and build a Toyota factory. Or Samsung LCDs. Or a Retirement Center. Perhaps they could hold RiceAid concerts...I hear Springsteen is availbale. Of course, my bet is most Japanese dont care about it. Just like most Americans dont care about it. Do most Balinese care about it? The ones I talk with don't care.

Rice defines who were are

My knee jerk reaction is to say "No it doesnt". But I dont think thats quite true. It gets into all kinds of issues really. I think the real question is in how people (both individually and as a group) define themselves. So how do the Japanese define themselves? Koreans? Balinese? What makes them unique? How about this: define yourself. What makes you, well you.

Japanese consumers pay as much as 10 times more for their rice than Americans

Well duh. Everything in Japan is expensive. And for the most obvious reason....

Efforts to preserve rice farming in Japan and South Korea may ultimately fail, not because of foreign competition, but because of long-term demographic changes.

Well the author and I agree on this anyway. They will fail because most people dont care or they value progress more than rice. The farms wont completely disappear, they will merge and resemble farming in the US. Some lament the loss of the family farm...Its evolution, deal with it.

Rice farmers are literally dying out. In Japan, 80% of them are more than 60 years old, while half of South Korea’s rice farmers are past that age.

So? Whats the point? Is the point that the youth of the nation chooses not to farm? Is it that large agricultural conglomerates are bad? My guess is this isnt headlining Japanese news now. Or that it even warrants a mention. It is only news in Korea as they just approved to end subsidies and allow importation of cheap rice...not exactly the argument the author was making. In any case, its bogus.

Oh Roy, come on...we all know you find development intolerable everywhere, not just your neck of the woods, er sawah.

Jeffrey

[Bert Vierstra]

Rice defines who were are

My knee jerk reaction is to say "No it doesnt". But I dont think thats quite true. It gets into all kinds of issues really. I think the real question is in how people (both individually and as a group) define themselves. So how do the Japanese define themselves? Koreans? Balinese? What makes them unique? How about this: define yourself. What makes you, well you.

Suppose people define themselves by saying that rice defines them?

[balijeff]

Bert,

I said it didnt ring quite true to me. People defined in terms of rice. Struggling with it...looking for help. Maybe Roy can post a synopsis of that part of the article.

Anyone?

Jeffrey

[staraquarius]

Well, being Japanese, of course I understand the importance of rice. My friends always make fun of me because I'm picky about it. Of course all rice is very different, and because we eat rice plain, we want it to be good. Tasty on its own! Oh yeah, I've found the right local rice to suit me.

Japanese will pay more for rice - not only in Japan, and even if the rice is not Japanese. Yeah, of course those imorted from Japan is very expensive, but I'd happily pay double for a better one made anywhere as long as it's a good one. Would you not choose to pay a bit more for better meat?

When I was little living in Yokohama, there were rice fields everywhere around us. Within a year or two they all disappeared - to be replaced by buildings of all sorts. Sad, true - but Tokyo/Yokohama area has merged into one huge city. Tokyo is just too small to handle all the people!

But alas, the number of child per couple has dropped to less than 0.5 now, women are just not having kids anymore. Government has been freaking out for a whilel, wondering what to do when there are too many retired people with no younger generation to help out.

To me, this breakdown in Japan is created by the younger generations wanting to see more, do more, earn more, have more fun. To hell with culture.

But in Bali - doesn't it make you smile to see little kids all dressed up to give offerings everyday out in the streets? I think Balinese culture is tougher. Change will come, it always does. But it doesn't have to be a bad thing.

But yeah, it is scary to think all this beautiful rice fields may one day turn into golf courses.....

[Jimbo]

The Indonesians say if you have not earen rice you have not eaten. maybe this sums up how they feel about it. Growing your own maybe a different matter.

My understanding of Japenese rice is that the Japenese themselves prefer the very special sticky type rice that is cultivated in Japan. Due to the increasing populations of the past and the ever increasing manufacturing of the present there is less and less land. This gives way to a shortage of home grown rice and ergo the very expensive type. If there was a big profit however surely it would be grown at the expense of say mobile phones.

In this ever changing global village of ours its all about supply and demand. Wayang is still as popular as ever and is not imported. Its not that long ago when Indonesia was a net importer as oppose to today. (or have I got that the wrong way round)

All of this is to say that whilst rice is the national dish the growing of it does not make it the national culture. IMHO

[balijeff]

Jimbo,

I struggle with the same. HOw does one define themselves in terms of a food dish. I do hold out the possibilty that such exists, hence my refrain.

Star...I didnt know you were from Yokohama. Small world. I spent about 4 months in Yamate, living with a high school buddy a few years ago. Used to go and see the Baystars, drink coffee (right across the stadium) and wander into Chinatown looking to pick up girls! All in one night! Heehe, fond memories of that...MM21, the pier, the ramen musuem....

In fact, on our way back to the States, I have some friends that live in Chigasaki and her family wants us to spend a few days there. It has been, what, 4 years since I've been to Japan...I think I'll go...

Back to the topic at hand. I would say that many persons would charcterize Japanese as hard working and industruous. That their culture is defined by Shintoism, education, loyalty, bushido and ancestor worship. These are the musings of a gaijin and even then further unqualified. As I think on it, I do not know how ku (is that right...did i remember correctly) figures into it.

Your take is most appreciated.

Jeffrey

[Roy]

Jeff writes:

I struggle with the same. HOw does one define themselves in terms of a food dish. I do hold out the possibilty that such exists, hence my refrain.

Jeff, in all parts of Asia, rice is not simply considered a “food dish” as might be French fries or a roast beef. In most all of Asia, to one degree or another, rice is the ultimate gift of the Gods. Rice is at the core of most Asian cultures, and in Bali, it is especially vital to all aspects of daily life.

In Bali, rice is the core of all offerings made to the Gods. No offerings in Bali are ever made without rice, and in truth, a simple offering can well be just rice itself, without fruits or meat. At temple prayer, and after drinking the holy water, it is rice that is placed on the foreheads, temples, throat and heads of the devotees. Rice symbolizes all the essential aspects of the sekala world, that which is seen.

[balijeff]

Ahhh. OK. I had noticed the use of rice in offerings and concluded that they used rice because it was available, not because they had attached any religious significance to it.

Jeffrey

[Roy]

Ahhh. OK. I had noticed the use of rice in offerings and concluded that they used rice because it was available, not because they had attached any religious significance to it.

And, how long have you lived here in Bali?