Yutaka Niibe

Itadakimasu (Now, I get your soul)

Yutaka Niibe at

In Japan, it is common practice for everyone to say "itadakimasu" for each meal. Without saying that, we can't start eating.

The direct translation would be: "Now, I get your soul". It's a very short version of prayer before meals. We recognize "soul" for each food.

I was explained that it's because of Buddhism, but I don't see such a practice in China, Thailand, or India.

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Or.. it would be: thanks creatures.

The philosophy behind is:

草木国土悉皆成仏

Everything is Buddha.  Those who eat or be eaten.

Yutaka Niibe at 2017-06-24T12:15:44Z

In China, it's just "EAT RICE". :-)

clacke@libranet.de ❌ at 2017-06-25T23:24:36Z

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The practice is basically between those who eat and those being eaten.
For example, I say "itadakimasu" even if I eat alone.

Yutaka Niibe at 2017-06-26T07:35:06Z