Does Cultural Practice Contribute for Engendering Place Attachment?

― Example of Benibana (a safflower) culture in Yamagata prefecture ―

Abstract

This research aimed to reveal the relationship between place attachment and cultural practice formed by the use of safflower in Yamagata prefecture. First, by snowballing interview, it shows that people use safflower not only for agricultural products but also for daily use such as household planting and cooking. After interview research, we conducted a questionnaire survey for people living in this area. By factor analysis, place attachment in this area can be divided into five factors. The t-test result shows people who use safflowers for cooking or go to local events frequently foster place attachment. Then we use SEM for further analysis between place attachment and cultural practice. The result shows that safflower cultivation and planting foster place attachment indirectly. However, it is also shown that cultural practice for economic benefit does not contribute for fostering place attachment.