Modified and translated by CFJA
1) The Meaning of Eating
In Eastern thought, meals are categorized into three types: “heavenly food,” “earthly food,” and “human food.” Heavenly food refers to the air we breathe, earthly food is the physical food we consume, and human food represents nourishment for the heart, or interpersonal connection. It is believed that by consuming these three types in balance, we can sustain life.
In other words, eating is an act to balance the mind and body and maintain health, not solely for building physical strength. It’s essential to consider this perspective.
In the West, people often believe that eating large quantities promotes health. This can be surprising for Japanese people, who may find the portion sizes in Western countries overwhelming, often feeling unable to finish meals at restaurants. As a result, obesity has become a significant social issue, especially in North America.
In Eastern cultures, quality is valued over quantity. In Japanese cuisine, attention is given to tableware and the atmosphere of the meal. Japanese manners around meals differ somewhat from Western etiquette. This reflects a cultural emphasis on both mind and body, something that Japanese people inherently understand. However, the kanji character for “busy” (忙) contains the element for “heart” (忄) with the meaning of “losing(亡) one’s heart” or spirit. As people lead increasingly busy lives, hurried meals and even eating while standing have become common, reflecting a shift in the spiritual and cultural values around eating.
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