All Manners of Food in Japan: An Overview of the Civilising of Appetite from the Ancient Period to the Modern Period

This chapter presents an overview of the civilising of appetite as part of expanding the process of civilisation in Japan. As one of the most renowned culinary traditions in the world, the Japanese have created a distinct cuisine on a national and international level. Ranging from sushi and tempura to sake wine and matcha tea, these foods satisfied the hunger and palates of the Japanese. Apart from satisfying hunger levels, however, food plays a momentous role in society. Although there are studies that examine the broad developments of Japanese cuisine, more needs to be said about how the Japanese cooked food, what the Japanese ate, and how much the Japanese ate. Examining the civilising of appetite can help illuminate the institutional and individual developments of Japanese relationships to food. Nevertheless, a significant challenge awaits researchers when examining the civilising of appetite in Japan.