Specialty Food, Market Culture, and Daily Life in Early Modern Japan: Regulating and Deregulating the Market in Edo, 1780-1870

This study explores the social and cultural history of Japan through the lens of food and food ways, focusing on the early modern Japanese capital of Edo. It reveals how specialty foods, which were available at the market, connected different social groups and empowered ordinary people to assume control over the distribution of these foods, ultimately affecting the procurement for the shogunal kitchen.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Lexington Books

This groundbreaking study offers a novel perspective on the social and cultural history of Japan by examining the role of food and food practices in the early modern capital of Edo. Through a comprehensive analysis of food markets in this period, author Akira Shimizu paints a captivating portrait of early modern Japanese society, where specialty foods, such as seasonal, regional, and hard-to-find delicacies, played a pivotal role in connecting diverse social groups. Peasants, fishermen, and merchants, who made these specialty foods available at the market, engaged in constant negotiations with powerful wholesalers and government authorities responsible for procuring the finest quality foods for the shogun's Edo Castle.

By utilizing a wealth of previously unseen archival materials, the book delves into the intricate processes of producing, supplying, and handling these specialty foods. It sheds light on how ordinary people, often marginalized by the existing market order, were empowered to take control of the distribution of these foods, ultimately influencing their procurement for the shogunal kitchen. This disruption of the existing market dynamics led to a reconfiguration of market relations, challenging the power structures of the time.

The study's innovative approach highlights the significance of food in shaping social and cultural identities, as well as the complex interplay between different social groups and the state. It provides valuable insights into the economic, political, and social dynamics of early modern Japan, shedding light on the ways in which foodways were used to consolidate power, maintain social hierarchies, and shape cultural norms. Overall, this study is a significant contribution to the field of Japanese history, offering a fresh and insightful perspective on the past through the lens of food and food practices.

Weight: 313g
Dimension: 231 x 154 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793618283