The path of evolution of Japanese food culture

Nara period, Asuka period

 In 675, Emperor Tenmu promulgated the "Carnivorous Ban", which continued until 1871 (Meiji 4), about 1,200 years later.

  The food culture under the ban, which has been banned for about 1,200 years, has led to the development of a food culture in which animal protein comes from fish and vegetable protein comes from soybeans and rice.  The food culture of this era has greatly contributed to the future Japanese food culture.

 Heian period 

Around the time when the aristocratic culture was brilliant, the cooking style "Daikiyo cuisine 大饗料理", in which the officials entertained guests, developed.  This dish is influenced by China and was conceived in Japan.

Kamakura period

Minamoto no Yoritomo, who opened the Kamakura Shogunate, hated the luxury seen by the aristocrats of the Kuge family, so he entered an era of "simple and frugal" from the Heian period.

It was during this period that Zen Buddhism was introduced and priests spread "vegetarian cuisine or syoujin ryouri 精進料理" using only plant-based ingredients.

Muromachi period, Azuchi-Momoyama period "Sengoku period"

It was an era when the power of samurai became stronger in Japan.  During this Muromachi period, the "Honzen-ryori本膳料理" style, in which samurai entertained guests, appeared.  This was a very strict practice.

Honzen-ryori can be said to be the completed form of Japanese-style ceremonial cuisine.

The use of dashi stock made with kelp and dried bonito has begun, and the cooking will become even more profound.

During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Sen no Rikyu spread Japan's unique tea ceremony among the samurai.  Sen no Rikyu has become a person who has a great influence on the samurai.

During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Sen no Rikyu established the Japanese tea ceremony.  And, the dish "kaiseki ryori 懐石料理" was born in this era to enjoy cooking before enjoying matcha.

Kaiseki ryori is different from Honzen-ryori, and it is a dish that you can easily enjoy cooking without being too obsessed with the manners.