Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days (Taboo: Rice Soaked in Miso Soup in the Morning)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yama (Engi Katsugi: Asa no Shirukake Meshi)
[Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days (Taboo: Rice Soaked in Miso Soup in the Morning)]
21.1 x 30.4 cm Ink Painting

Some unmarried new recruits were beaten or kicked nearly to death by the old coworkers called gezainins [ex-convicts; most of them were not real ex-convicts though some of them were] in the boardinghouse because they poured miso soup (soup made of soy bean paste) on their rice for breakfast; they did not know it was a taboo.
It is said that construction workers hated pouring soup on rice more than miners did. It is not clear what this taboo originates from. However, this act was greatly hated any way because they believed that it brought bad luck. (Note: They probably imagined the tumulus in the past when the dead were committed to the earth.) It is said that construction workers also tabooed this act and that a man would be beaten to death if he carelessly tried to eat rice soaked with miso soup in the morning.

Words at the Top Middle
"Kono yaro!"

"You damn fool!"


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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