by Jennifer Smith

Created on: April 21, 2008

ITADAKIMASU

"Itadakimasu!" A Japanese tradition that is virtually unknown today, the ritual word is most often uttered before meals. After the table is prepared and the guest have been seated the host or hostess will raise their food above their heads and utter "Itadakimasu." As the host does this, so does everyone else. This Japanese tradition is most like the American tradition of saying grace. The Japanese pause before the meal begins to show respect and thankfulness for the food they are about to eat. Itadakimasu, in its original meaning means "to receive and consume life." The word infers gratitude for having received the meal while acknowledging the life that was taken and displaying remorse.

The Japanese people have a tradition as rich and as varied as the words they speak and their meanings. Regardless of the reason that you may be visiting Japan it is important to realize that your actions will have a profound impact on how other perceive you.

In Japan you should dress to impress. It is customary for those high officials to dress like high officials if seen in public. This descends into lower structure but the foundation is laid. In Japan you dress to impress. The proper attire for men are dark business suits. The women dress in business skirts and wear low heeled shoes. It is improper for a Japanese woman to tower over a man. There is a Japanese saying that says "the nail that sticks up gets hit with the hammer." In Japan you do not blow your nose in public, you do not point and you do not talk with your hands. Talking with your hands distracts your host. In Japan you should use caution with your facial expressions as they are easily misunderstood. The Japanese enjoy silence and they are not uncomfortable with it.

The staple food of the Japanese people is rice and according to their beliefs the rice is thought to have a spiritual connection. The work involved in growing this staple is formidable. If the process is correctly followed from start to finish, there are 88 steps. The Japanese acknowledge that rice cannot grow without the natural gifts of sunshine and rain. They recognize that a grain of rice cannot walk, but has to be shipped, and it is not free. You have it because someone in your family worked hard to buy it. Rice cannot be eaten raw; someone had to cook it. The farmer, the sunshine, the grocer, the delivery person, the shopper, and the cook are all important and when the Japanese say "Itadakimasu" they acknowledge and give thanks to

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