Mushroom gathering has been practiced for many generations in Iwate prefecture, but the high growth of the Japanese economy has changed this traditional practice. This paper aims to clarify the current and former state of this practice, and consider the changes in relation to a wider process of development. This investigation included interviews with elderly persons, and a questionnaire survey of visitors. The results indicate that: 1) a wider variety of people practice mushroom gathering now than was apparent in the past; 2) access to gathering points has become easier; 3) people are gathering a greater variety of mushroom species, including many that were not gathered in the past. These results are considered in relation to a broader context of historical change. As a result of increased economic prosperity during a period of high economic growth, road networks have been developed and improved, and automobile use has increased, making access to mushroom gathering points easier. More and more people can now take part in this activity relatively easily. Furthermore, because of changes in living standards and increased leisure time, mushroom gathering has increasingly become a recreational activity, promoted by readily available information about mushroom species and easy access to mushroom gathering areas. People now gather a wider variety of mushrooms, especially those that are easily obtainable, encouraged by information about edible mushrooms that is readily available from experts on site and from illustrated books or handbooks.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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