The characteristics of saliva and an agar gel bolus obtained from young and elderly subjects were studied. The elderly subjects produced a slightly lower saliva flow during mastication in the absence of any food and, in general, the apparent viscosity of saliva from the elderly was slightly higher than that from the young. The volume of saliva flow in bolus was slightly less for the elderly than for the young. No significant difference between the two age groups was apparent in the size distribution of the gel grains contained within the bolus, this being spat out when ready to be swallowed. There was also no significant difference between the two age groups in the hardness and cohesiveness of the bolus. However, the bolus masticated by the elderly demonstrated higher adhesiveness than that from the younger age group.

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The palatal pressure while eating and swallowing various sol and gel samples was measured with six transducers embedded in an artificial palate fixed to the human hard palate. The relationship between the palatal pressure pulses generated while swallowing and the texture of various food samples was examined. The swallowing pulse appearing at the end of mastication could be classified into three types, and different kinds of pulse appeared on the palate with different subjects. The palatal pressure pulse when swallowing appeared as a decompressed pulse, being as high as 40 kPa at the decompression peak for those food samples requiring long mastication. The start of the decompression pulse was later at the posterior than at the anterior part of the palatal retainer. The decompression area of the pulse for those food samples requiring long mastication was much greater than that for the samples requiring short mastication. It is suggested that the decompression pulse is associated with transfer of the bolus upon swallowing.

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Using the Ochiai District of Higashiiyayama Village in Tokushima Prefecture, this paper discusses how the plans of farmhouses and the living styles of the inhabitants have changed in mountain districts. Ochiai is situated in a remote mountainous area. The steep slopes of the mountainsides were cleared and farmhouses were built in a way that complements the unique landscape of the surrounding farmlands. We found quite a few farmhouses whose history could be traced back to the Edo period. Plans of those houses could be classified into two categories. It was found that, while the houses still maintained many traditional aspects or characteristics, most had been remodelled considerably by adding lavatories, baths and other modern facilities as well as constructing entrance and remodelling rooms. The authors also studied the temporal attributes and the effect of social demands as the reasons that the residents decided on additions and alterations of their farmhouses, most of remodelling took place between 1975 and 1985 when the occupants were reported to change their vocation.

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Mirin made from the Japonica and Indica glutinous rice samples respectively cultivated and harvested in China and Thailand was compared with that made from Japanese Japonica rice. Two steam conditions were applied to each type of rice. The quality of mirin made from the Japanese, Chinese and Thai rice samples was nearly the same under each steam condition. Although there was a difference in the sensory evaluation of mirin between made from the Japanese, Chinese and Thai rice without any further treatment, this difference disappeared after treatment with carbon.

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The purpose of this paper is to clarify an ideal way of constructing a life support network to enable elderly people in urban areas to receive prescribed care at home. There is a need to construct a social network to support their life on the basis of the long-term care insurance. In this survey, we interviewed 15 elderlies in 13 households in Higashiosaka City in Osaka prefecture. The results are as follows : 1) Most of the interviewees hope to lead their life independent of their children and have no resistance in receiving the social life support service. 2) Generally speaking, the interviewees maintain good relationship with neighbors, the fact of which give them a sense of security in the community they belong to. 3) They may be classified into three types in view of their relation with their children as well as the utilization of the social life support service; a type supported by family, a type mainly supported by the social life support service, and a self-support type. A great majority of our interviewees are classified as the type mainly supported by the social life support service or the self-support type.

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Kasuri is a kind of patterned fabric which was brought to the Japanese mainland from Okinawa. We can see some patterns of Ryukyu Kasuri in Ukiyoe prints dating back to the 19th Century. Ryukyuan Kasuri culture in the southern Okinawan town of Haebaru as well as others has been a common sight since at least 1933. Some tapestries of Ryukyu Kasuri have been exhibited in the Haebaru Town Office since the 1990's. The materials and designs of the costumes of the subtropical Ryukyus allow air to pass through and absorb sunlight; this develops the people's aesthetic sense. Many patterns of Ryukyu Kasuri are based on nature and life. The name of each pattern has its own meaning. Ryukyu Kasuri is often the costume used in Ryukyuan dancing and is also seen in mourning wear. Ryukyu Kasuri can be considered as an ornamental culture deeply connected to life which uses aesthetic qualities born in the subtropical climate of the Ryukyus.

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