Augmented reality media to express the experience of Japanese food culture

Japanese cuisine was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013 designated with an evaluation as a social diet custom embodying a Japanese spirit that respects nature. However, it is difficult to fully understand the cultural characteristics of Japanese food because the actual meal is limited to taste and visual information such as taste, ingredients, tableware, and presentation. In this system, in order to convey Japanese food culture, interaction and video expressions are combined with actual meals, and as users proceed with meals the natural environment, text, and Ashirai projected on the tableware change and the system allows you to learn about the richness of nature that supports Japanese food, the changes in the four seasons, and the relationship with traditional events. The natural environment changes in 10 stages, and users can experience the changing seasons and beauty at their own pace. Ashirai are vegetables and flowers that are added to complement the dishes, and four types of treats are projected onto the tableware according to the changing seasons. The Japanese food in this work consists of "Ichiju Sansai," which means one soup and three vegetables. "Ichiju Sansai" is said to be the basis of Japanese food and is composed of a staple food, a soup, two side dishes, and a main dish, and their arrangement is also fixed. We asked several people to experience the system and we were able to tell the users that Japanese food is supported by natural riches and seasons while influencing traditional events as well. It has been also confirmed as another effect that users re-think the act of eating and re-realize Japanese cuisine including recognition of the blessings of nature. Demonstrations are held at the art gallery using cooking models.