Voices from International Students

My hometown is Wenzhou City, Zhejiang Province, a city of “Jews of the Orient” merchants”. People speak Wenzhounese dialect, which the rest of the country consider as the most difficult language in China.

You may have seen Unshu mikan (Mandarin oranges), which has an improved taste, in supermarkets or greengroceries. During the Edo Period, Unshu mikan were named after the City of Wenzhou (pronounced as Unshu in Japanese ) which was famous for producing oranges. Mandarin oranges are a common fruit in Japan. They are involved in the typical scenery of Japanese homes in winter: “oranges on kotatsu (oranges on a heater table).” In the language of flowers, the Mandarin orange signifies virginity, the joy of a bride, and purity.

The Mandarin orange is also popular in Wenzhou. It is called ōugān in Chinese. It is rather difficult to eat because the skin is thick, the fruit is not very juicy, and on top of that it has big seeds inside. However, the soft pulp and extremely sweet taste attract not only the Japanese but also the Wenzhou people.

Many Wenzhou people leave their hometown to work abroad in countries such as Spain and Italy. When I think of the most familiar fruits with my hometown, the first is always a Mandarin orange. Industrial products can be duplicated anywhere in the world but an orange cannot because it develops the taste differently depending on its natural environment. I am sure that oranges grown in the east of Asia in the climate of the west Pacific Ocean taste best. Oranges may not make those who live far from the hometown cry for nostalgia, yet they are a precious hometown reminder as a Chinese proverb describes: “The scent of oranges comes wafting to your nostrils even if it is just a little because the scent is buried deeply in your memory.” When I was little, my mother would often tell me to eat oranges because they are good for health. Now I eat Japanese Mandarin oranges recalling my hometown.