抄録
In this paper, the authors discuss the transition in people's world views caused by mechanization, as evidenced by the case of the production process of the rice cake. This research is based on documentary literature, a field survey, and other sources. Originally, the rice cake was made for special events, and people recognized it as one of the most important offerings to the gods. The traditional process of rice cake making required much time and effort and the use of many tools. In the 1950's, these tools were largely replaced by multi-functional machines. In the field survey, the process of rice cake making was observed: after choosing the best location, people made the traditional rice cake by relying on their senses and experience to use fire, steam, and other resources to careful and deliberate effect, then the finished cake was offered to the gods. As a result of our investigation, the following assertions can be made: (1) In the traditional process of rice cake making, people conceive of the medium of the rice cake as holy, and the process informs them about the stages of life. (2) During this process, the people are engaged in a direct sensuous experience, using their senses to learn more about the nature of their environment. This kind of experience affords people world views that spring from living interactively with the environment and within communities. (3) With the introduction of machines, the preparation process ceased to require direct experience. Concomitantly, the meaning and ceremony which the preparation of rice cakes had assumed socially and culturally gradually dissipated, and, subsequently, the people's world views shifted from a deeply ingrained and holistic foundation to a more superficial one.
