Final answer:
Sticky rice is a type of short-grained rice known for its stickiness when cooked, which makes it easier to eat with chopsticks. The deep cultural significance of rice, particularly in Japanese society, reflects its role as a symbol of purity, community, and national identity. The answer to the question is 'd) Sticky'.
Step-by-step explanation:
Glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice, is a type of short-grained Asian rice that becomes especially sticky when cooked, facilitating the use of chopsticks. Originating in Asia, its cultivation began thousands of years ago and it's a major food source for much of the world's population, especially in Asia. The correct answer to the fill-in-the-blank question is 'd) Sticky'.
In Japanese culture, rice, particularly the short-grain variety, is deeply intertwined with national identity. Cultural anthropologist Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney has highlighted rice as a dominant metaphor for the Japanese people. Through history, rice has been a symbol of purity, a staple crop used as a form of taxation, and a symbol of community and nationhood in Japan.
Moreover, rice is a central component of Japanese commensal activities—signifying a sense of fellowship and shared identity. It's positioned as an essential food, going beyond mere sustenance to convey cultural and historical significance. Whether as 'shushoku', the main dish, or a shared element of a meal, Japanese short-grain rice signifies a communal bond that remains robust in contemporary Japanese society.