以前、値段の高い果物の写真を紹介したら、「何のためにこんなに高いフルーツを買うの？」というコメントがありました。今回ご紹介するスイカは、その答えが値札に載っています。よく見てください。ピラミッド型の値札には、「食べられません」と書いてあります。
食用のスイカと比較しては極めて不公平なのでしません。食用のスイカの比較対象として、８月にアメリカのスーパーで販売されていたものと、本日東京のドンキホーテで売られていたものを紹介します。
When I posted the pictures of some very expensive fruit, many readers asked “Why would anyone buy such expensive fruits?” The answer is on the price placards for the two watermelons shown here.
The first one for the square watermelon reads “For Viewing.” There are two kanji words for “viewing”, both pronounced “kanshou”. 鑑賞means to view (or listen to) an artistic creation for the purpose of deep enjoyment. 観賞means to view something which cannot be recognized as an artistic creation, or something which is not an artistic creation to start with. In this case, the former character is used.
The placard for the pyramid-shaped watermelon reads “For Gift Giving” and then states in handwriting that it is only for viewing (鑑賞), not to be eaten.
It is unfair to compare these watermelons with watermelons meant to be eaten. Comparing watermelons meant to be eaten, one picture is of watermelons on sale in a U.S. supermarket in August, and the other is a watermelon which was on sale today at Don Quixote in Tokyo today.