A Study on the Transitional Process of a Local Food and Residents' Feelings toward the Food in a Mountainous Village

Abstract

This study focuses on “OYAKI” a local food in Ogawa village in mountainous area. This study shows how the process of making OYAKI changed and the change in peoples' attitudes to it. Even though there has been a decline in traditional agriculture in the area and the life style was changed because of the impact of the modern economy, OYAKI is still widely eaten. In the past, OYAKI was considered as a basic food stuff, nowadays it is held in esteem as a kind of “healthy” and “gourmet” food. The culture of OYAKI contribute to increase people's pride and attachment to the traditional rural way of life.