Thankfulness of the Japanese

Illustration: tofugu.com

"When you grab your chopsticks, you should thank all nature and living things, the emperor and your parents." This passage from the Koukou Michibiki Gusa (1812) resonates very much with us. Maybe besides of the emperor ;-) ...

Gratitude For What Appears In Your Life

Sesto and me were sometimes looking for a short prayer to be spoken before meals that suits the both of us. Finally we ended up with the term of "Itadakimasu" and the gesture of holding ones hands, like shown in the illustration above.

The Itadakimasu "emphasizes the idea that each bit of food is important.The heart of the itadakimasu ritual is one of gratitude and reflection, even if only for a moment. In this light, starting a meal with "itadakimasu" implies you'll finish all of it. Something gave up its life for the meal, so it can be considered disrespectful to leave big chunks of food behind. ...

... the gratitude of itadakimasu reaches beyond the dinner table and into our everyday lives. Whatever you receive, be it a hat, a job, or a ride to the airport, receive it with appreciation. Because the heart of itadaku is a thankfulness for the things you've been given and a determination to make the most of what you have."

links
find out more about the meaning of itadakimasu