Verbs of eating

要旨

Abstract The chapter explains how kuu and taberu , two major verbs of eating in Japanese, emerged, developed, and changed their literal and figurative meanings. Both verbs began their life distinctly. Kuu emerged from the active zone, while societal structures gave rise to taberu . This difference is reflected in two facets of culture, labeled Culture 1 and Culture 2, which embrace adversity and hierarchical society, respectively, revealing two social attributes that are historically prevalent in Japan. Today’s usages of taberu and kuu show a shift in the selection of active zones and a shift from metonymy to metaphor. Drawing upon kuu ’s current tendency to withdraw from figurative expression, the chapter suggests that metonymy and metaphor can effect a clear division of labor.

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