Historical approach to evaluating productive cultural landscapes: A case study of Japanese vineyard landscapes

Abstract

Abstract Cultural landscapes of vineyards and wineries are often evaluated based on their relationships to natural conditions or “terroir.” However, in vernacular evaluation, their meaning may need to be interpreted in the wider context of the region beyond the terroir. This study analyzes the historical development, including the land‐use transition of Katsunuma and other popular traditional viticulture and winemaking areas of Japan; An approach for evaluating such productive landscapes as cultural landscapes is discussed. We conclude that landscape formation based on viticulture and winemaking occurred during a very short period after World War II in the study areas. Thus, an approach to interpreting landscape different from that based on its relationship to the terroir is established. Production centers of commercial crops, such as fruit trees, do not necessarily develop because of compatibility with natural conditions. Thus, we consider the evaluation of productive landscapes as cultural landscapes to be an important perspective.

Keywords

• cultural landscape
• evaluation
• land use
• transition
• vineyard