A Study of Changes in Cultural Landscape of OOISHITA Tea Plantation and Tea Plant System in Siragawa District, Uji

Abstract

It is a study on Siragawa District which is an OOISHITA tea-producing area in Uji City. Through analysis of changes in tea plantation and land use around it, this article aims to explain the transition process of tea plantation cultural landscape in Siragawa. Moreover, through study of changes in plant system of OOISHITA tea, this article aims to consider the relationship between the transition process of the plant system of OOISHITA tea and the tea plantation cultural landscape. As a result, it is revealed that (1) there was a significant decrease of traditional OOISHITA tea plantation from 1961 to 2008. (2) About distribution, traditional OOISHITA tea plantation is gradually moving away from rural community. (3) Since 1955, plant system of OOISHITA tea has significant changed. From the above, when preservation of cultural landscape in Uji City, a reconsideration on the selection of elements and methods of preservation is required.