Abstract
We conducted a questionnaire survey in 2010 and 2012 in the urban area of Kumamoto City and the rural community of Aso which continue to hold seasonal agricultural events. The survey focused on knowledge, experience, and special food habits pertaining to such events. In both areas, the subjects were volunteers engaged in activities pertaining to food and nutrition; 136 subjects in Kumamoto and 168 subjects in Aso were surveyed. The survey covered a total of 15 annual events, including Shogatu, Sekku, and Tanabata.
In both areas, over 90% of subjects had knowledge and experience regarding these events. Compared with other events, low levels of knowledge and experience regarding the Spring Festival and the Autumn Festival were observed and there were no differences between Kumamoto and Aso in this regard. Events connected with rice farming have decreased because farmers have aged and decreased in number. Consequently, it has been difficult to hand down foods prepared at annual events. Subjects in Aso had more experience preparing event foods by themselves compared with in Kumamoto. It was determined that there are a larger number of three-generation families in Aso compared with in Kumamoto. This result demonstrates that it is easy for children to inherit special food habits from their elders.
