Changing society, changing fieldwork: Experiences of fieldwork classes at a Japanese University

Abstract (English)

This study traces the evolution of anthropological fieldwork conducted by students in the cultural anthropology department of the University of Toyama, Japan, since its establishment in 1979. Traditionally, second-year students undertook 2 years of fieldwork in local areas, culminating in a collaborative ethnographic report on a single, shared topic such as a festival. However, recent decades have witnessed a significant shift towards student-initiated research on diverse topics, often reflecting the profound social changes within local Japanese communities. Issues such as inheritance and the creation of traditions have become prevalent student interests, mirroring the challenges faced by aging and declining populations to maintain local activities. Notably, the reception of students in the field has also changed. Whereas resistance or hesitation was once encountered, students are now increasingly welcomed and encouraged to participate in local activities, blurring the lines between the researcher and the researched. Local communities, eager to have their efforts recognized, now often appreciate and support student research. This study aims to examine these changes in student fieldwork practices within the broader context of Japan’s evolving social landscape over the past decades.