Kirk here. A while back I posted about how Kumamon is not allowed to enjoy cake because “he” is supposed to be male and “real” men don’t go for sweets (at least that’s the theory). You can find that post here:

https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02yCZvZY2MevZLKAtPF7MFmKX23nGKQ5kstTCBrpmW3UTAtHYJpEB5Mb1aawMyW1PTl

This post is a follow-up to that. The same “men don’t eat sweats” mentality is a topic of discussion in Alan Rosen’s thoroughly enjoyable memoir: “Tales of Old Zen.” Unfortunately for English speakers, the book is only available in Japanese:

https://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%89%E3%83%BB%E3%82%BC%E3%83%B3%E3%81%AE%E7%89%A9%E8%AA%9E-%E3%82%A2%E3%83%A9%E3%83%B3%E3%83%BB%E3%83%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BC%E3%83%B3/dp/4877556435

Alan describes his first meal in Kumamoto after which his chain-smoking colleagues from Kumadai poo-pooed his request for desert, explaining that men like alcohol and cigarettes, not sweets.

P.S. This and all the other illustrations in Alan’s book have been done by his highly talented daughters.