333 Rice and the Seven Gods

“Rice and the Seven Gods”

Rice is the staple food of Japan.
In the spring, we pray at shrines all over the country
For a good harvest of grains,
And we celebrate the bumper crop at the autumn festival.

The Japanese have been growing rice for 3000 years,
Beginning in the Jōmon Era.
In our mythology, it is written that the goddess Amaterasu
Gave an ear of rice to her grandson, Ninigi no Mikoto*

The kanji for rice (米) is a composite of three kanji: 八十八 (88)
It is said there are 88 steps in the process from planting to harvest.
Seven gods are thought to dwell in each grain of rice.
They are Earth, Water, Wind, Cloud, Insect, Sun,
And the Farmer who works the paddies.
This nature worship lives on in the Japanese heart.

Because the gods dwell in every grain,
Children are told, “Don’t leave any in your bowl,
Or you’ll face divine retribution!”
This isn’t really true, of course,
But food waste has become a problem in our society.
We should channel the gratitude of the ancients.
Before savoring a meal, we say “Itadakimasu”
Which means, “I thankfully and humbly receive this food.”

*Ninigi no Mikoto is the divine founder of Japan and sire to the imperial family. When he descended from Heaven, Amaterasu gave him rice so the people would have a bountiful harvest.