Itadakimasu
For a good portion of my life, like most Americans, I had only a superficial view of Japanese culture. Sushi, sumo, kimono, electronics, and fast trains. As I began to become familiar with the culture, my views began to change. I can identify the exact moment when I fell in love with J-Culture: Itadakimasu!
When I started hanging out with my Japanese friends, I noticed that prior to the meal each person would place their hands together (as in prayer) and say “Itadakimasu” (pronounced E-Ta-Da-Key-Mas). Once I learned that the most literal translation is “I will humbly receive,” it got my attention. Later, I was told that the meaning goes much deeper than that. Saying Itadakimasu before a meal reminds one to thank, or at the very least recognize, all of the people, plants, and animals that made the meal possible. It is a way to honor those who prepared the food, as well as those who taught them to prepare food. It is a way to honor the plants, the farmers who grew the plants, and the animals sacrificed, as well as those who grew, caught, or processed them.
It is believed that this practice came about during Japan’s Asuka Period, when Buddhism was the dominant religion of the region. As opposed to Western religions with a hierarchy of beings, with humans at the top, Buddhism views all beings as equal.
In the modern world, this practice facilitates values of mindfulness, community, and sharing a loving experience with others through a simple gesture of gratitude and respect. At the very least, it is a way for everyone to stop the noise in their heads, if just for a moment, and focus on the food they are about to eat, acknowledging that it did not appear in front of them by itself. This practice has since become part of my life, and I truly believe it has made my meals more meaningful.
