The stdy aimed to reveal how the inheritance of Osechi Ryori is influenced by family relationships. Questionnaires were administered to 50 women of the second-generation in the three-generation-families in urban and rural areas; this was followed by interviews that were conducted in 1998 and 2003, and New Year dishes of these families were photographed. The results revealed that the changes in the number and kinds of dishes and the consciousness of inheritance were affected by family members, the improvement in womens position at home, and the shift of power between generations. Through a protocol analysis, it was found that Osechi Ryori are considered as a token of affection or a symbol of their power in the family. As this study was conducted over a period characterized by drastic changes in traditional norms, family roles, the relationships between family members, the diet culture and method of preparing food, the results of this study could display different aspects of this transitional period.
