「脱」駅の進む駅弁

Abstract

I have so far examined the history of EKIBEN centering on historicity as reflected in KAKEGAMI (wrapping paper) of EKIBEN and the way in which EKIBEN is sold. KAKEGAMI not only contained information on EKIBEN but was also used as a medium to promote the famous tourist destinations, local specialties, and events from the era of Meiji, Taisyo up to the early SYOWA era. It also printed manners for railway travel and corporate advertisements, which gave us a glimpse of its social status. In the prewar era (1931-1945), it frequently had war slogans or pictures representing the war; and in the period of rapid economic growth, it often included tourism campaigns. KAKEGAMI will be able to find its place in history as a document that was influenced by the social conditions and at the same time represented the change of trends from local specialties, tourist packages, and health foods. The history of EKIBEN shows that the early EKIBEN contributed to the local tourist industry to a certain degree. However, as the kinds of special box lunch making use of the local specialties were reduced in the war period and ‘ordinary’ box lunch became more general, the attribute of EKIBEN as an unusual ‘Hare’ tended to dwindle. After the defeat in the war, EKIBEN contributed to promotion of railway travel with the boom in travel industry in the period of rapid economic growth. But with the diversification of means of transportation and food, the way it is sold is also being diversified. This leads to the dwindling significance of the railway station and railroad journey. With its history along with railway stations which has seen EKIBEN competitions, EKIBEN mail order sales, specialty EKIBEN shops, now EKIBEN is faced with a moment in history to reexamine itself to decide which directions it should take for the future. The experience and know-how acquired from the history of EKIBEN can offer an important pointer to the future direction of EKIBEN, and further to the improvement of railway box lunch sold by Korail such as ‘Rail Lak楽’ (Lak楽 meaning pleasure or joy).