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2005 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

LIFE STORIES OF MEAT AND LEATHER WORKERS AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF A DISCRIMINATED IDENTITY

Research Project

Project/Area Number 15330095
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Sociology
Research InstitutionChiba University

Principal Investigator

SAKURAI Atsushi  Chiba University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (80153948)

Project Period (FY) 2003 – 2005
Keywordsmeat industry / leather industry / Buraku industries / Hisabetu-Buraku / Buraku discrimination / job discrimination / life stories / Discriminated identity
Research Abstract

In this paper, I present an accumulation of life stories of slaughterhouse workers (a type of job frequently hidden within the more general meat-related industries) and leather workers such as hide-tanners, shoe-makers, and drum-builders. Through these life stories, I examine the shape and form of people's identities and the contours of present-day discriminatory attitudes, drawing connections with the lives of Hisabetu-Buraku residents, people who no longer live in Hisabetu-Buraku, and people who have never lived in Hisabetu-Buraku.
The book is comprised of two parts. The first part is an essay which works from the above problematic and examines aspects of present-day Hisabetu-Buraku. Further, this portion of the work introduces concrete aspects of workers' life histories and difficulties that individuals face. The second part is comprised of the transcripts and analyses of life story interviews of 1. employees of and people related to meat packing facilities (Meat Center), 2. leather … More tanners, and 3. cobblers.
I plan a fuller analysis of my methodology ; however, I have made a few preliminary observations I would like to share at this point. One, the discourse that symbolizes and legitimizes the avoidance of leather and meat industries has shifted from one centering on "kegare (filth)" or "environmental issues" to one centering on "educational issues" such as valuing life and protecting animals. This recent transformation has been a quiet one, intertwined with the appearance of vegetarianism and animals rights movements here and as well in the United States, a country which for a long time glorified the consumption of meat. A second observation : "Buraku industries," frequently held to be the source of discrimination, have moved out of areas that have been subjected to discrimination, and that move has revealed the continued connection between these industries and discrimination. This situation is observable in changes in the ways that meat and leather industry workers perceive discrimination. Less

  • Research Products

    (10 results)

All 2006 2005 2004

All Journal Article (8 results) Book (2 results)

  • [Journal Article] 被差別カテゴリーの多義化とアイデンティティの行方2006

    • Author(s)
      桜井 厚
    • Journal Title

      千葉大学大学院社会文化科学研究科プロジェクト研究 コミュニティ形成におけるメディア経験と語り 34

      Pages: 131-150

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Journal Article] The Categories of 'Discrimination' and the Whereabouts of Identity.2006

    • Author(s)
      Sakurai, Atsushi
    • Journal Title

      Project Research, Experiences and Stories of Media in the Making of a Community (Sakurai, Atsushi ed.) (Chiba University, Department of Sociology and Culture)

      Pages: 131-150

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] もいひとつの「部落」2005

    • Author(s)
      桜井 厚
    • Journal Title

      リリアンス研究紀要 解法研究しが 15

      Pages: 7-20

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Another 'Buraku'2005

    • Author(s)
      Sakurai, Atsushi
    • Journal Title

      Ririansu Research Records, Shiga Buraku Research (Shiga Buraku Liberation International Networking Research Center). no 15.

      Pages: 7-20

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Stories of the Slaughterhouse2004

    • Author(s)
      SAKURAI ATSUSHI
    • Journal Title

      千葉大学 人文研究 33

      Pages: 71-94

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Journal Article] 日本の食肉文化と部落問題2004

    • Author(s)
      桜井 厚
    • Journal Title

      別冊すティグマ 特集 部落産業 16

      Pages: 22-43

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Stories of the Slaughter-house.2004

    • Author(s)
      Sakurai, Atsushi
    • Journal Title

      Chiba University Department of Literature, Jinbun Kenkyu no 33.

      Pages: 71-94

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Journal Article] Japanese Meat Culture and Buraku Issues.2004

    • Author(s)
      Sakurai, Atsushi
    • Journal Title

      Special Issue of Stigma : Buraku Industries (Chiba Prefectural Human Rights Center) no 16.

      Pages: 22-43

    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
  • [Book] 境界文化のライフストーリー2005

    • Author(s)
      桜井 厚
    • Total Pages
      404
    • Publisher
      せりか書房
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
  • [Book] Life Stories on the Margins.2005

    • Author(s)
      Sakurai, Atsushi
    • Total Pages
      404
    • Publisher
      Serika Pub.
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より

URL: 

Published: 2007-12-13  

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