Custom of rice porridge in green tea and its distribution in Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures

A questionnaire survey on the manners and the custom of rice porridge with green tea was conducted an object of inhabitants aged 50 or older on in Shimane and Yamaguchi Prefectures from 2003 to 2004 . The following were found : (1) In habitants, 60% and 83% of of the population in Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures, respectively, who have experiences to eat rice porridge with green tea. The manners and customs of eating rice porridge with green tea has been widespread in both prefectures. (2) A common name for rice porridge with green tea was “Chagai” or “Chagayu” whose frequency of use was the highest in both prefectures. (3) Rice porridge with green tea was had for breakfast in both prefectures. Sweet potatoes were very popular ingredients in rice porridge with green tea, and then glutinous rice cake and broad beans were sometimes used.. (4) Rice porridge with green tea has been recognized as a meal to save rice, or to be good for health, and it has been inherited as a cuisine that meets preference in both prefectures. Our questionnaire survey reveals that there are the manners and the custom of rice porridge with green tea common to Shimane and Yamaguchi prefectures. These results suggest that the manners and custom of rice porridge with green tea in both prefectures has been inherited since the Edo period.