What is Folklore?

What is Folklore? At first thought one may think of folklore as the equivalent to a tall tale, an uncivilized custom from a developing community or culture, or a tradition from long ago. While the stories we tell, the customs of our ancestors and the traditions of civilizations past are technically elements of folklore, folklore is much more than that. Folklore is the study of human traditions and customs new and old, it is the chronicling of our rituals, and the expression of how we identify ourselves. “The study of folklore touches on every dimension of human experience and artistic expression” and “In many ways, it is the study of culture—visual and performing arts, sculpture, architecture, music, theater, literature, linguistics, and history rolled into one” (Sims and Stephens 2011, 3).

 

Folklore can be deconstructed into three separate elements: verbal, material and customary. This project will discuss Ramen as an element of material folklore in the post World War 2 culture of Japan. Material folklore can take a number of different forms, some more permanent than others. What separates material folklore from its verbal and customary counterparts is it's physicality. "Permanent or not, material culture is tangible—it can be touched, seen, eaten, or lived in” (Sims and Stephens 2011, 13). In the case of ramen, it can be studied as an event which may seem trite or commonplace. Compared with the pomp and circumstance of some larger formal culinary events the idea of slurping a bowl of noodles may seem unimportant. However, when studying material folklore (and folklore in general) there are no small events - just small interpretations.

 

The tradition of ramen has grown into a complex representation of the changing culture of Japan and reflects the many different cultures than make up the tapestry and of its culinary traditions. While some may argue that the current ramen traditions are a far departure from their early inception, it’s important to remember that folklore and folklore traditions are destined to change “traditions are like organisms that grow and change while yet remaining themselves” (Handler and Linnekin 1984, 27).