HI READERS, HOWS YOUR DAY.... I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A HISTORY OF VEGETABLE CARVING.. JUST READ IT, OKAYYYY...
The origins of vegetable carving are disputed: many people
believe it to have begun in Sukothai, Thailand 700 years ago, while others
believe that vegetable carving originated in the time of the Tang Dynasty (AD
618-906) and the Sung Dynasty (AD 960-1279) in China.
perhaps Japan is the root of the art of fruit and
vegetable carving, called Mukimono in Japanese. According the book
"Japanese Garnishes, The Ancient Art of Mukimono", by Yukiko and Bob
Haydok, Mukimono's origins began in ancient times when food was served on
unglazed clay pottery.
These rough platters were covered with a leaf before the
food was plated. Artistic chefs realized that the cutting or folding of the
leaf in different ways created a more attractive presentation. Mukimono did not
become popular until the sixteenth century, the Edo period, when Mukimono
gained official recognition.
At this time, street
artists created clever garnishes upon request. From these beginnings the art
has developed into a very important part of every Japanese chef's training.
Whatever way vegetable carving originated, it is now known
and practiced worldwide. Vegetable carving is flaunted in many different Asian
restaurants, cruises, hotels, and other various places.
The most popular theory of the history of vegetable carving
is that it originates in Thailand. It started during the Loi Kratong festival
in the 14th century. During Loi Kratong, are individually decorated using many
objects, including banana leaves and flowers.
In the year 1364, one of King Phra Ruang’s servants, Nang
Noppamart, had the desire to create a unique decoration for her raft. Nang
carved a flower from a vegetable using a real flower as a pattern. She carved a
bird as well and set it beside the flower. Using these carvings, she created a
raft that stood out above the rest.
King Phra Ruang was impressed by the grace and beauty of the
carving and decreed that every woman should learn this new art.
In 1808, King Rama II
loved vegetable carving so much so that he wrote poetry about it.
However,
during the 1932 revolution in Thailand, appreciation for vegetable carving died
down. In order to revive interest, it is taught from the age of 11 in primary
schools through secondary school in Thailand. Optional courses are also offered
in universities throughout Thailand.
In the mid 20th Century, the art of vegetable carving began
to grow outside Thailand. Since then other cultures have slowly come to
appreciate the beauty and culture associated with the practice.
Today, one can marvel at Vegetable carving throughout the
world. The products of vegetable carving are generally flowers or birds;
however, the only limit is one’s imagination. The techniques of vegetable
carving vary from person to person, as does the final result.
Some carvings present more artistic detail, while others
have simple, yet beautiful shapes. Vegetable carving is generally used as a
garnish. It can also be used for flower arranging.
Art Carving from
Thailand
Thai people make a
carving
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