[The Okinawa Churaumi Foundation] Cultural Affairs Agency's Subsidized Project 'Food Culture Story' Creation and Dissemination Model Project: Research Report Clarifying the Value of Ryukyu/Okinawan Traditional Food Culture as Cultural Property

The Okinawa Churaumi Foundation (Motobu Town, Okinawa Prefecture) (hereinafter referred to as "the Foundation") continued to implement a literature and historical document survey, an island vegetable, "Kusuimun," and ceremonial food questionnaire survey, and an on-site survey of Obon events in the project adopted by the Agency for Cultural Affairs last fiscal year. The results have been compiled into a research report, and a "Food Culture Story" flyer has been created. The Foundation aims to clarify the cultural property value of Ryukyu and Okinawan food culture and seek its registration as a cultural property.

This survey was also conducted in cooperation with researchers and the Ryukyu Cuisine UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Registration Promotion Committee. Historical documents housed in museums inside and outside the prefecture were surveyed, and a questionnaire survey was conducted among residents of Okinawa aged 10 to 90 regarding island vegetables, "Kusuimun," ceremonial foods, and their awareness of their inheritance. In addition, a "Brief History of Food Culture" from the Ryukyu Kingdom era to 2024 was included as supplementary material at the end of the report.

Click here for the research report

About the Okinawa Churaumi Foundation

The Okinawa Churaumi Foundation is an organization that manages and operates park facilities, including the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, Ocean Expo Park, and Shuri Castle Park, utilizing Okinawa's rich natural and cultural resources, under the management philosophy of "Bringing the brilliance of the beautiful island to all people." Centered around the comprehensive research institute established within the foundation, it promotes specialized research on subtropical flora and fauna and marine organisms, technology development, and educational outreach activities. At the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, based on the long-term rearing of diverse marine organisms, research on physiology, reproduction, and health management is continuously conducted, and scientific data accumulated under captivity is utilized to improve animal welfare and conserve marine organisms.