ZENMAI (ROYAL FERN) PRODUCTION AND ITS VILLAGE SUSTAINING FUNCTION IN THE TOHOKU DISTRICT OF JAPAN

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  • 東北日本奥地山村におけるゼンマイ生産の実態とその集落維持的意義
  • トウホク ニホン オクチ サンソン ニ オケル ゼンマイ セイサン ノ ジッタイ ト ソノ シュウラク イジテキ イギ

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The rapid growth of national economy after 1955 has prompted the population decrease in mountain villages of Japan. But, on the other hand, it has given some positive effects on the mountain villages. The most important of such effects is increase of value of natural resources in mountain districts, and Zenmai (edible royal fern) is one of the typical examples. This paper is to describe actual state of production of Zenmai and its village sustaining functions in three key Zenmai producing villages located at the Echigo Mountains and the Asahi Mountains of the Tohoku District which is the principal region of Zenmai production in Japan.<br> Though village economy heavily depends on Zenmai, the pattern of production is rather primitive basing on the customary use of forest and grassland regulated by village community. In 1971, the price of Zenmai is about nine times of that in 1955. So Zenmai is the largest source of income for the villagers, and the income level is still rising. This fact made the population decrease of these villages slower. Moreover, Zenmai has significant role in the natural conservation which is nowaday one of the -urgent social problems in Japan. In this connection establishment of proper production system and scientific management of resources corresponding with evolution of mountain village are highly required.

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