Resumo:
Rice , to the Japanese, is considered " the grain of life." Essential basis of their power , symbolic and representative element throughout the development process and the history of Japanese cuisine , particularly from the nineteenth century when the country out of its isolation and begin the process of opening the westernization , gaining a new way . The theme of this work is the rice and Japanese Gastronomy: symbols and identity. Showing a historical view on Meiji revolution in the nineteenth century , and the influences of this opening westernization in Japanese cuisine. Has the objective to highlight the historical importance of rice and its symbolism to Japanese culture and cuisine. Rice is actually a symbol of Japanese identity and in the nineteenth century , became the most representative element of their identity to the Western World. However one can really claim that Western influences , from century. XIX, triggered a process of transformation and perpetuation of identity and cuisine , by inserting for the local ingredients, especially rice . The methodology used to develop this analysis is the exploratory research. The conclusion shows the evidence and importance of rice as well as its various symbols and representativeness , throughout history and how he , through gastronomy , after the process of Westernization occurred in the nineteenth century in Japan , became the key element of their identity
