When Geese and War come up one usually thinks about Ancient Rome and the Geese warning the citizens about an imminent attack by sneaky Gaulish forces.
But apparently the Japanese had their own, albeit very different Goose moment too.
During the Boshin War, when the New Imperial Government had to fight the shogunate forces a battle was taking Place in Ueno, Edo with enemy forces using cannons to keep the imperial soldiers from advancing. One of which got hungry, decided to go for a hearty meal of Goose Hotpot in a specialised restaurant, went to sit down in the second floor and discovered to his amazement that he could see behind enemy lines. He did call his comrades who started shooting with guns, ultimately silencing the cannons and defeating the Shogunate forces in Ueno. If the soldier ultimately got his highly deserved Gannabe 雁鍋 is unclear, the restaurant probably needed a renovation of at least their second floor.
Goose Nabe, a dish not served anymore in Japan but immortalised by the likes of Natsume Sôseki. Said to be a Nabe dish using Goose meat and Negi scallions. Probably similar to Kamo Nabe 鴨鍋 ( Duck Hotpot). Unfortunately, due to hunting laws, goose is not on the Japanese menu anymore, why they haven’t decided to farm them, is unclear. The most known Goose base Dish in Japan today is Mock Goose, Ganmodoki, a deep-fried Ball of mashed Tôfu and Vegetables.