Why does the Uguisu's actual diet diverge significantly from representations like Uguisubai or Uguisu-mochi?
Answer
Because its fame stems from its distinctive, flute-like song, leading to symbolic representation
The disparity between what the Uguisu consumes—small arthropods and protein—and the sweet, rice-based food it is symbolically linked to arises because the cultural association is rooted in the bird's auditory presence rather than its biological reality. The *Uguisu* is famous for its distinctive song signaling spring. This fame leads to symbolic representation in cuisine, even when that representation bears no resemblance to the animal's true nutritional requirements necessary for survival, which center on protein acquisition.
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