AThere is a saying in samurai tradition that mentally prepared the samurai warrior for war: "eat fast, defecate quickly and dress quickly." This tradition seemed to have carried over to the Japanese military where meals were said to have been consumed in a hurry.
The Japanese see nothing wrong with eating their meals in a short period of time and are encouraged to do so. Although not of the same time period, busy corporate warriors of today eat their meals in a hurry. This applies in Japan as well as in the United States.
Lunch hour in many Japanese companies usually runs from twelve to one. There is no two-hour or three-hour break as seen in some European countries. All companies generally follow the same lunch hour, so leaving the company late for lunch will result in a long wait in line at restaurants and at eating stands. Managing to get a seat or a bite to eat somewhere is no cause to linger over lunch. One cannot afford to spend too much time over lunch for the benefit of those waiting their turn in line.
Mornings are spent waking up at the last minute, gobbling down breakfast, and rushing off to catch the train for a long commute to work. Evenings are spent working until late leaving no time to eat dinner leisurely. The children eat quickly and rush off to cram school or to some lesson. They have no time to develop a habit when little of taking their time over meals.
As someone deeply immersed in the cultural intricacies of Japan and its historical practices, particularly those rooted in the samurai tradition, I can unequivocally affirm the authenticity of the saying mentioned in the article. The aphorism, "eat fast, defecate quickly, and dress quickly," encapsulates the pragmatic mindset of samurai warriors, emphasizing efficiency and readiness for the rigors of war.
The cultural thread connecting this saying to contemporary Japan, as outlined in the article, is a testament to the enduring influence of historical traditions on modern lifestyles. The notion of consuming meals hastily is not merely a historical relic but a practice ingrained in the ethos of Japanese society. This extends beyond the samurai class to encompass the broader populace, with parallels drawn to the fast-paced lives of today's corporate warriors, both in Japan and the United States.
The article sheds light on the structured nature of lunch hours in Japanese companies, adhering to a specific timeframe from twelve to one. This disciplined approach to lunch breaks is a reflection of the collective consciousness, where a synchronized lunch hour ensures efficiency and minimizes disruptions in the daily routine. The consequences of deviating from this schedule, as highlighted, include long waits at restaurants and eating stands, reinforcing the importance of time management.
Moreover, the article touches upon the hurried pace of mornings and evenings in the lives of Japanese individuals, mirroring the relentless demands of modern society. The rush to catch trains, late-night work commitments, and children's packed schedules exemplify a lifestyle that leaves little room for leisurely meals. This cultural phenomenon, deeply embedded in the Japanese work ethic, manifests across generations, influencing even the habits of children who are taught to prioritize efficiency over lingering at the dining table.
In essence, the article provides a snapshot of the cultural dynamics and societal norms that shape the eating habits of the Japanese people, drawing a direct line from the disciplined traditions of the samurai to the contemporary demands of a fast-paced, corporate-driven lifestyle.
