Abstract
This study focused on understanding the actual situation, in terms of recognition and experience, between parents and children, regarding meals consumed at festivals and on ceremonies in Hokkaido. In terms of the degree of recognition, meals associated with New Year were most commonly recognized, while those associated with the Autumn, Spring and Chrysanthemum festivals were less recognized. On a national level, the degree of experience of the Vernal and Autumnal equinox, the Winter solstice were high, whereas those for the Autumn, and Spring festivals were low. The recognition and experience of the traditional meals associated with O-Shichiya was significantly lower, indicating that the survival of this tradition is under some pressure. However, the level of experience regarding traditional meals associated with wedding, funeral and Buddhist memorial services including 3 generations of the family was extremely high. Hokkaido families, however, differed from the rest of the country in their high degree of recognition of the celebratory meals associated with weddings and landmark birthdays for the aged, but a low degree of recognition for those associated with the 7-5-3 birthday celebrations for children. There was a high level of agreement between parents and children in the degree of recognition of meals associated with events such as New year, Christmas and New Year's Eve, and for those associated with celebrations such as birthdays, funeral and 7-5-3 birthdays celebrations. However, there was a low level of agreement between parents and children in the degree of recognition of meals associated events such as the Autumn, Spring and Chrysanthemum festivals and celebrations such as engagements and O-Shichiya.
