Random curiosity. Some years ago, I went to a local museum exhibit that portrayed the culinary evolution of Sweden, in photographs, recipes and facts about when certain ingredients made their appearance on the national marked and so, change local cooking forever. 
Is there anything similar for Japan that anyone on here know about? A documentary? Book? News article/ culinary column? Anything is welcome! ^>^
Basically:
Is there a good historical description of the culinary developments of everyday food in Japan?
Like what what you serve your kids going to school? At breakfast? Popular dishes really. Not cool hip stuff pro chefs pull off. But ordinary people living in Japan, their most common dishes. ^>^