Incorporation of Potatoes into the Japanese Diet from the End of the Taisho Period Through to the Early Showa Era

Abstract

Potatoes are one of the agricultural products that rapidly spread after the Meiji Era (1868-1912), resulting in an increase in consumption in Japan. The objective of this study was to determine the cause of the increase in potato consumption, from the viewpoint of the consumer, by investigating the incorporation of potatoes into the Japanese diet from the end of the Taisho Period (1912-1926) through to the early Showa Era (1926-1989). "The Complete Collection of Daily Japanese Food" was used as a resource to describe the characteristics of potatoes and classify them according to those characteristics. The incorporation of potatoes into the diet varied greatly, depending on the region. The natural environment of the potato and the history of potato use were also factors affecting the incorporation of potatoes into the Japanese diet. Another factor that may have contributed to the popularity of the potato as a food ingredient is its superior cooking characteristics, which allow it to be used in cooking styles within various regions.