Who, What, How, Why

meal settings by festivals:

meals setting by seasons (summer, winter, autumn, spring)
(washoku)

Eat seasonally.  Bamboo shoots in spring, bonito in summer, matsutake mushrooms in autumn, adult yellowtail in winter – the Japanese people have special traditions associated with feasting and eating natural food.  The dietary culture to enjoy the flavors and tastes of the ingredients by making the best use of freshness in cuisine has been nourished in Japan which is blessed with a rich natural environment that includes seas, mountains, villages and a variety of foods grown in the Japanese archipelago running from north to south.

Japanese dining etiquette is a traditional craft which shapes and challenges how Japanese food is experienced. Historically Japanese etiquette was influenced by the religions in Japan, Shinto and Buddhism. Japan continues to embrace their traditional values but also the new. The rituals have provided sets of rules that are now used every day by Japanese diners. However, Etiquette in Japan isn’t viewed as highly religious, it’s just a way of life and many Japanese don't believe in a particular religion. Japanese dining is a beautiful and culturally enriching experience. However, it is at its best when appropriate etiquette is performed as the rituals serve the purpose to be respectful to those dining around you. Some dining taboos have symbolic meanings which represent death or spirituality that can easily offend if used. For someone interested in Japan, being considerate of a culture’s beliefs is a part of understanding the culture.

Who:
New Zealand exchange students that have an interest in travelling/living in Japan.

What:
Our aim is to recreate a Japanese dining experience using origami paper craft. This provides a simple way for students to visualize a dining experience in japan. This will be accompanied by simple tips on dining etiquette for what to avoid doing. The book will capture the essence of dining in japan and explain how the traditional and historical rituals influences their behavior. 

How:  
Through a book and an exhibit we intend to combine the fundamental ideas behind dining etiquette. These are the act of socializing and also the rich history that introduced it. The two elements to the guide will work cohesively to provide a new spin on a guide through reading and also experiencing. It enables students interested in Japanese culture or its food culture to view dining visually in Japan’s native expressive art form.

Why:

Food is a big part of Japanese culture and dining is an easy way to learn about the culture. There is a gap in the market for books on etiquette that explain the background behind the etiquette. For someone interested in Japan, being considerate of a culture’s beliefs is a part of understanding the culture.