Everything about Meibutsu totally explained
Meibutsu (名物) is a Japanese term for famous products associated with particular regions. Meibutsu are usually items of
Japanese regional cuisine, although the category includes local
handicrafts. Meibutsu typically have a
traditional character, although contemporary products may qualify as meibutsu if they're distinctive and popular. They are often purchased as omiyage (
souvenirs) to be given as gifts.
Meibutsu listed by region:
Cultural aspects
Several prints in various versions of the
ukiyoe series
The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō depict meibutsu. These include Arimatsu
shibori, a stenciled fabric sold at
Narumi (station 41) and
Kanpyō (sliced gourd), a product of
Minakuchi (station 51), as well as a famous
teahouse at
Mariko (station 21) and a famous tateba (rest stop) selling a type of
rice-cake called
ubagamochi at
Kusatsu (station 51).
According to a paper by Laura Nenzi cited by Jilly Traganou in
The Tokaido Road: Traveling and Representation in Edo and Meiji Japan (Routledge, 2004), meibutsu could be "classified into the following five categories: (1) simple souvenirs such as the
swords of
Kamakura or the shell-decorated screens of
Enoshima; (2)
gastronomic specialties such as the roasted rice cakes (
yakimochi) of
Hodogaya, and the
yam gruel
torojiru of Mariko; (3) supernatural souvenirs and wonder-working panaceas, such as the bitter powders of
Menoke that supposedly cured a large number of illnesses; (4) bizarre things that added a touch of the 'exotic' to the aura of each location such as the fire-resistant
salamanders of
Hakone; and (5) the prostitutes, who made localities such as
Shinagawa,
Fujisawa,
Akasaka,
Yoshida and
Goyu famous. Such commodities made people stop at otherwise impoverished and remote localities, contributing to the local economy and the exchange between people of different backgrounds." (72)
Further Information
Get more info on 'Meibutsu'.
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