Abstract
We surveyed food for special occasions and rites of passage in 2009-2010. The results enabled us to compare the current status of rites of passage among individuals who have lived in Tokushima Prefecture for 10 years or more by age group (under 30 years, 30-49 years, and 50 years or older).
The awareness for and experience with the rites of passage of birthday celebrations and the shichigosan festival were high in all age groups, indicating that these events have become well-established. The proportion of subjects eating cake for birthday celebrations was very high in all age groups, indicating a general finding. A high awareness was apparent for celebrations of longevity, but the rate of experience with these events was low for the under 30 years age group. An a wareness for and experience with purification ceremonies and the proportion of respondents who had consumed food for purification purposes were low in all age groups. Only a low proportion of the under 30 years age group had experience with all types of rites of passage, and many individuals in this age group are thought to have forgotten their experiences, even if they had participated, or to not yet have experienced many of them.
