2022 Volume 18 Pages 20-26
This paper aims to introduce a new historical source with the feast menu record at the time of the imperial visit to Nijo-jo Castle and to explain a part of the acceptance of namban-gashi in Kyoto during the Kan’ei era.
The menu stated in the new historical documents is characterized by being categorized by the people who received the feast and indicating the number of people. It was believed that aruheito candy was prepared for at least 1,803 people and kasutera sponge cake for at least 1,367 people.
Especially the fact that kuge (court nobles) and jige yakunin (lower-ranking officers) were treated to namban-gashi was responsible for the familiarity of aruheito candy and kasutera sponge cake among people in Kyoto. It was also believed that they might have been served to kuni daimyo (daimyo having domain of one or more provinces) and other daimyos as well, and that might have contributed to the spread of namban-gashi to other provinces.
