This study aims to examine the identity and level of adjustment of ethnic Koreans in Japan through the study of their food culture, with emphasis on New Year s Day cuisine. A food culture is often transmitted not via the social structure in general bu...
This study aims to examine the identity and level of adjustment of ethnic Koreans in Japan through the study of their food culture, with emphasis on New Year s Day cuisine. A food culture is often transmitted not via the social structure in general but within a family group between parents and children. Food culture is also different depending on the area in which it is found, and thus bestows upon ethnic Koreans, who share a common food culture, a sense of identity and solidarity that distinguishes them from other groups. In addition, the symbolic nature of a food culture is closely related to people who share it, and strongly reflects their consciousness.
After having conducted an examination of the food culture of ethnic Koreans living in Kawasaki City. Kanakawa Province, it was found that mental aspects of culture are less sensitive to a change in social patterns than materials aspects are. Thus cultural identity in tableware, a material cultural aspect, is lost most quickly and more slowly in regards to food. which contains a duality of both material and mental aspects of culture. It was also observed that ethno-cultural identity is most strongly preserved in ritualistic behavior, such as ancestor-worship ceremonies, that contain a very strong mental aspect.