On a fixation of "an upper-class summer resort' image in Karuizawa

Abstract

The image of a place and its symbolization at the social level can be both the cause and the effect of cognition and behaviour in a social group. This paper investigates what kind of place attains such a common image, how a symbolic relationship is formed between the place and its image, and how the symbolized place image alters the place itself and even the place name. Karuizawa, selected for the case study, is located in the highlands of the Chubu District. The image of Karuizawa in the modern period was constructed by analysis of literary works and magazine articles, and is described along with the history of development of Karuizawa. -from English summary