Meaning of small grains cultivation as a traditional occupation in Japan

Traditional occupations hold important meanings, as they have been passed down from generation to generation. However, many occupations are endangered due to shifting practices and standards associated with globalization. The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of the traditional occupation of small grains cultivation in Japan, which has been integral to farming in the region for over 2,800 years. Ethnography and community-engaged research were used to conduct this study in three locations in Japan: Karumai Town and Towa Town in Iwate Prefecture, and Shiiba Village in Miyazaki Prefecture. Across the 10 participants, 29 meanings were identified and clustered under 6 themes: Culture/Ancestral practice, Sustainable way of life, Nurturing the soul, Health and well-being, Eating experience, and The legacy of sharing and collaboration. Among the participants, we found understandings that small grains cultivation contributes to social issues, such as food security and the health of the land through refined practice, while also contributing to the well-being of the cultivators by providing nutritious food and nurturing their souls. Generational differences between cultivators were also identified. Younger generations who migrated from cities to villages are re-casting the popular negative perception of small grains cultivation, finding richness and enjoyment in practices, while older generations consider it a labor-intensive practice associated with poor people. The meanings of small grains cultivation, particularly the relationship of the human experience to the natural environment, shed light on the richness of engaging in such occupations; insights that are typically neglected in the modern societies of the 21st century.