Near the entrance of many Japanese restaurants, there are often elaborate displays showing plastic replicas of menu items. We were a little bemused by all this fake food. Personally, I didn't find anything tempting or appetizing about these displays.
But according to Wikipedia, fake food displays have a long history in Japanese culture and are a real art form. They are called sampuru, which comes from the English word "sample." Such displays first started appearing in the 1800s and were made out of wax. Now they're hand-molded out of plastic vinyl and cost big bucks to manufacture. Custom-made for each restaurant, replicas of a complete menu can cost over a million yen to produce.
[Photo by My Rare One]
strangely interesting!
ReplyDeletesame as in korea! though they are not all that appetizing, they come in handy when you don't speak the language since you can just point!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a bit off putting to western eyes, I suppose although some people do like to have realistic plastic fruit bowls on display in their homes. I hope the shop keepers at least keep them dust free and attractive looking. Otherwise, YUCK.
ReplyDeleteNothing like genuine fake food!
ReplyDeleteThere is a Japanese Restaurant near my office that has a window full of that fake food and I have to say, it does not look appetizing.
ReplyDeleteI think its really cool. I would love to be the one making the replicas, its something I think would be fun,
ReplyDeleteHmmm, to bad they don't display their sign that says, " No! We no see cat of yours! No more ask please." BWWAAHAHAHAAHAAAHAAAHAA!!!
ReplyDeleteIt never ceases to amaze me that make an artificial something can take longer and cost more than making a 'real' something. And, it's amazing how many people will go to all the trouble to do the fake when the real would be so much more appreciated and savored!
ReplyDeleteOh my ,I had no idea they did this. I can't figure out why they do it though, especially since it is so costly. Like you said, it can't be very appealing to look at. Every culture is different and oh well, to each his own. :)
ReplyDeleteA million yen? Good lord! What are they putting in their plastic?
ReplyDeleteWe see a lot of that here in the city. Personally, it does nothing for me either.
ReplyDeleteMary
Very interesting! I wasn't aware it was that common!
ReplyDeleteAmazing that they'd waste what I expect is very expensive real estate on a showcase of fake food. You'd think the space could be put to better use.
ReplyDeleteI guess it's a cultural thing that just doesn't make sense to us. It does sound expensive, though. Over a million yen? Sounds like a fortune (I'll have to check and see what it amounts to in Canuck money).
ReplyDeleteThere actually is a documentary (PBS showed it I think) on the manufacture of the plastic and fake food. It is painstakingly hand formed and hand painted and they take great pride in their end result.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite a little industry ... big $$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLess calories in fake food. :)
ReplyDeleteI saw that in Europe too, it's very neat!
ReplyDeleteDropping a line to say hello to a fellow Canadian! I came across your blog through Jaz at Octoberfarm. I spent the morning going back through your posts! Lovely stuff!!
ReplyDeleteDianna
You can be as self-centred as you like! I don't mind. Having my afternoon zone-out and wishing for coffee...
ReplyDeleteevery thing the Japanese people do is art.
ReplyDeleteI hope they are 'dusted' on a regular basis! Strange tradition but I am sure it helps business.
ReplyDeleteA good way to advertise to tourists!
ReplyDeletethis side of the pond, artsy folk make a living shooting pics of fake food they create, for ads, spending hours to make em look 'real'...
ReplyDeleteyou've seen the results - eg. the photo vs. the item from your local fast food shop....
If you are looking for an online shop that sells [Made in Japan] fake food related items in English and ships all over the world, you may want to check out Fake Food Japan: http://fakefoodjapan.com/
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Justin