Do you know when “GUM” was widely spread in Japan?

           A rubber balloon filled with hydrogen gas was called “a round kite” or “a light balloon” in the early Meiji era. We can find some records about that kind of balloon such as in the history of Yogohama in 1858 when they were first sold in a shop, or in the open ceremony of Japan’s first railroad in 1872 when they were launched for congratulations, and so on.

           In 1875, there was an experiment regarding round-kite launch in a class work at Kaisei – School (Former Tokyo University). Thus a student who had held the experiment sprouted up an idea to stand a stall selling those round kites as a new interesting toy for kids in the following year. The popularity of the new toy spread all over the country, however the government of Kyoto realized its flammable danger hence those round kites seemed to be banned there.

           On the other hand, various kinds of product made of rubber became general commodities for children’s daily lives soon after that. For example, rubber combs for girls’ bobbed hair flourished very much around the year 1887, a shop called ‘Adachi’ in Osaka (Former Fuekinori Industry) first manufactured and sold bouncing balls, rubber pens, rubber dolls with the big hit in 1896. Nonetheless, later in 1909, the same company did try to open a new market for “chewing gum”, yet it unfortunately ended up with the failure of unsalable goods and had to close its operation eventually.

           At last, the time chewing gum could take root in Japan was between the end of Meiji era and the beginning of Taishou era when the import of it was started seriously. While, the time chewing gum became such a familiar sweet for children like now was when American soldiers of allied occupation brought into Japan with them after the Second World War ended.

Article by: NOBUMICHI UEDA, Associate professor of Okazaki women's college

Illustration by: INOUE CHIHIRO

Translation by: MOD Siripun ^^, 2^nd Year APS student, Asia Pacific University

Comment:

           It seems like the culture of chewing gum was globalized by westerners along with their dominance to all around the world including Japan after its surrender of the World War II. To say frankly, it is not that bad to receive those kinds of western culture or traditions but we, all Asians, should be aware of the side effects which are harmful to our own precious cultures as well.

           By the way, this story points out again that when we try to do anything, it does not mean that we will be successful easily at the first attempt. It may be a prior failure of course. Still we ought not to give up!! Conversely, we had better keep trying until a day the shinny achievement comes, had not we? Look at many Japanese companies as examples. I know a lot of them have fallen badly before reaching the world’s ranks of the most successful business.

Thank you for reading ^^

Mod