On the Paradox of Eating "Tataki" Without Pounding It

Netsuki, I bought katsuo tataki from the supermarket!

Yay~ I’m so happy♪ (≧∇≦)

I love katsuo tataki!

…Hey, Onii-chan.

What’s up?

With this “tataki,” who pounded what? (´∀`)

Huh? It’s katsuo tataki, so… they pounded the katsuo, right?

Okay, let me ask you, Onii-chan.

Can you imagine someone banging this pre-packaged katsuo tataki with a hammer? (≧∇≦)

In the supermarket processing area, someone putting katsuo on a cutting board, enthusiastically going “I’m gonna pound it! I’m gonna pound it!”…

That doesn’t happen, right? (´∪｀)

True… so why is it called “tataki”?

Exactly! That’s my question!

When I looked it up, there are multiple theories~ (´∀`)

Theory 1: Pounding in the salt

Back in the day, they’d sprinkle salt on katsuo and pound it in with their hands, so “tataki”… supposedly.

But Onii-chan, look at this package - see any evidence of pounded salt? (≧∇≦)

Nope.

Theory 2: Pounding to firm up after grilling

There’s a theory that after searing the surface, they pound it to firm up the flesh…

But Onii-chan, do you really need to pound it to firm it up? (´∪｀)

I like cooking, but I’ve never heard of pounding fish to firm it up~

Theory 3: The knife sound theory

The “ton ton ton” sound of cutting katsuo sounds like “pounding”… that theory.

…Wait, that applies to all sashimi, right? (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

So shouldn’t tuna be called “maguro tataki” too?

True… none of these theories are convincing.

Right!

So basically, nobody’s pounding modern “tataki” (´∪｀)

“Tataki” where the act of pounding has vanished…

Isn’t that an ontological contradiction? (≧∇≦)

Onii-chan, here’s a philosophical question…

Can “tataki” without the act of pounding truly be called “tataki”? (´∀`)

Huh, sudden philosophy…?

Because the name and reality are diverging, you know?

It’s called “tataki” but nobody’s pounding it.

It’s like an action called “running” where you’re actually walking~ (≧∇≦)

The word and content don’t match!

Ah, that is weird…

But you know, strangely, nobody complains.

At a sushi restaurant, nobody says “Excuse me, this ‘tataki’ wasn’t pounded, was it?” right? (´∪｀)

Everyone accepts the word “tataki” and eats it without question…

Isn’t that linguistic negligence? (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

So what’s the definition of “tataki”?

Good question, Onii-chan♪ (≧∇≦)

The definition of modern “tataki” is this:

“Seared only on the surface, raw in the middle”

That’s the essence of “tataki” (´∀`)

So basically, the level of cooking IS the identity of “tataki”!

• Surface: Fragrant sear marks

• Inside: Completely rare (raw)

This boundary line is everything~♪

Only 1-2mm of the surface is cooked, and beyond that it’s the same as sashimi…

This exquisite gradation is what makes “tataki” “tataki” (≧∇≦)

I see… it’s not about whether you pound it, the essence is the cooking level.

Exactly♪

But you know, the name stays “tataki” (´∪｀)

The etymology is lost, the action vanished, but only the name remains…

This is a linguistic fossil.

Like how dinosaurs are extinct but the word “dinosaur” remains (≧∇≦)

The act of “pounding” is extinct, but only the word “tataki” survives…

Well, let’s eat.

Yay~♪ (≧∇≦)

Let me put on the condiments and pour ponzu…

Itadakimasu~!

Is it good?

…Yeah.

It’s absolutely delicious (≧∇≦)♪

The fragrant surface and the sweetness of raw katsuo…

Perfect balance.

This is “tataki”…

…Hey, Onii-chan (´∪｀)

Did you notice?

Notice what?

I’ve been pounding “tataki” this whole time (ﾟ∀ﾟ)

Huh?

“Tataki isn’t pounded, is it?” “Who pounded it?” “Is ‘tataki’ without pounding still ‘tataki’?”

I was pounding the concept of “tataki” over and over again (≧∇≦)

Not physically pounding katsuo,

But pounding “tataki” with words…

So basically…

We were properly doing “tataki” (´∀`)

Even without physically pounding katsuo,

If you pound the concept of “not being pounded” with words,

Isn’t that proper “tataki”…?

This diary itself was “tataki” (〃´∪｀〃)

…Isn’t that sophistry?

Ehehe~ busted? (≧∇≦)♪

Well, it’s fine.

It was delicious so everything’s forgiven (´∀`)

Cooking, language, philosophy…

If it’s delicious, it’s justice~ (≧∇≦)♪

Thanks for the meal~♪

So today I did an ontological examination of “tataki” (´∀`)

The divergence of name and reality, the loss of etymology, the extinction of action…

But if it’s delicious, none of that matters right (≧∇≦)♪

That’s the truth of cooking~(〃´∪｀〃)

Onii-chan, buy it again next time♪

Then let’s eat “tataki” without pounding it again (ﾟ∀ﾟ)