I’ve been noticing a really high number of Japanese TV shows or movies that have a hospital scene and the person who’s in the hospital is brought apple slices by their friend(s), specifically the kind of apple slices that are cut to look like bunnies with the two tall ears.
I understand bringing someone gifts when they’re sick but it’s a bit odd that it always seems to be bunny shaped apple slices, never any other foods.
Is this just a coincidence, or is there some connection? Perhaps superstition? Maybe a reference to something else?
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/12vt60e/is_there_a_special_connection_in_japan_between/
4 comments
There definitely is a connection with being sick and getting fruit here. (During “omimai” visitations if you are in hospital.)
Some really old people associate eating fruit with being sick. Especially for tropical fruit like bananas.
Apples are sweet, digestible and easy find. It’s like comfort food when it’s difficult to stomach solids.
I believe they were also popularized as hospital food as many aspects of modern medicine in Japan comes from German/Dutch origins
Where I come from it’s traditional to bring grapes. I have no idea why! So fruit is definitely not a Japan-only thing.
It’s because apples are common, sold anywhere and not many people dislike it.
> that are cut to look like bunnies with the two tall ears.
Yes it’s a common thing to do with apples.