July 15, 2011

江戸時代のテーブル:現代社会と食文化の原点

戦略的な仕事をしているアメリカ人の知人から、江戸時代のシステム、特に「参勤交代」について、戦略的思考に基いている素晴らしいシステムだと大変評価されたことがあります。

御当地の特産物に力をいれさせ、せっせと作り、藩主たちは二年に一度参勤交代で幕府に献上するという仕組み。地域の経済的発展と江戸幕府の管轄下においておくというシステム化された方法で、大奥に愛する妻を隔離され、会いたいがためのソフトな部分でのモチベーションもしっかりとあげさせていたというわけなんです。今、徳川幕府が、『企業戦略』っていう本を書いたら、爆発的にうれるかもしれないね。

260年も続く江戸時代は、社会構造を含め現代生活の基盤が築かられた時代で、格差社会の原点も食文化もここにはじまりました。

将軍も、そして一般庶民も倹約令により質素な食卓だったけれど、食生活は多様化しはじめ、飲食店や屋台ができ現代の飲食スタイルが開始しました。お寿司の屋台、そして、懐石・会席料理も江戸の食文化として栄えましたよ。

また、食材もいろんなものをいろんなスタイルで楽しんでいたようです。白いごはんと漬物、肉とねぎをいれて煮た肉鍋、山菜など野菜料理、大ブームをおこした焼きいもなど、今日の日本の家庭料理の原点はここにあったのね。

江戸時代は現代社会の縮図だったと、徳川家康は知っていたかな。

テーブルでは今日も、日本の歴史と今を重ね合わせながら。

Table for Edo Period: Roots of Modern Society & Cuisine Culture
One of my American acquaintances told me how the well-organized system of Edo period is. Especially,
‘sankinkoutai’ was a wonderful system based on the strategic thinking. In order local lords to show
their loyalty to the Shogunate, they obligated to give the Shogunate a present from special local products
every second year. This was the systematically organized method that could boost economic
development of the local areas as well as make the lords be under the control of the Shogunate, Edo’s
feudal government. In addition, their motivations for wishing to see their wives also supported the system.
If TOKUGAWA Ieyasu wrote a book called ‘Corporate Strategy’, it would have been a best seller. Edo
period for 260years is the era that was built the roots of modern society including social structure. The
income gap society and cuisine culture started from Edo era. The dinner tables for the Shogun as well as
general public were rather simple based on thrift warrant. However, the daily meals became further
diversified and current restaurant style by the appearance of eating places and stands was established at
that time. Sushi bar, and Kaiseki meal, dishes served on a tray to each individual, has also started a part
of cuisine culture of Edo period. They also enjoyed various ingredients including rice with pickles,
Nikunabe (an individual hotpot dish containing meat leeks cooked on a hibchi grill), various vegetables
such as Sansai (edible wild plants) and Yakiimo shops, which were increased until major boom reached.
I could recognize the roots of current home cooking. Did TOKUGAWA Ieyasu know Edo period was the
epitome of modern society by now.
On Your Today’s Table, lap current society over the history.

July 15, 2011_d0217103_6264998.jpg


ブログランキング・にほんブログ村へ

by miwakoda | 2011-07-15 06:29 | 食卓芸術 Table Art

<< July 16, 2011        July 14, 2011 >>