In the past, cheese was usually packed in black wax. Nowadays this is rarely done.
It is found either in foil packaging (such a cheese can not breathe) or wrapped in greased cheese wraps, which allow the cheese to breathe and at the same time protect it from dirt getting into it.
The popularity of sushi in Japan may have been associated with Buddhism.
Buddhism was imported in the 6th century AD, and quickly became one of the major religions. One of the rules of Buddhism was to restrain from eating meat, and fish was not counted as such.
