The sight of Japanese people instinctively putting their hands together before and after a meal is a culture highly unique in the world.
The pre-meal “Itadakimasu!” and the post-meal “Gochisousama deshita!” are not merely manners; the accompanying ‘Gasshō’ (palms together) is a heartfelt ritual that encapsulates the Japanese “Philosophy of Life.”
Why do we put our hands together twice—before and after eating?
Let’s delve into the profound meaning hidden within this “Gratitude Cycle.”
The First Gasshō: “Itadakimasu!” and the Ritual of Receiving Life
The Gasshō we perform just before a meal is an act that expresses reverence and awe for “Life.”
Gratitude for Life and Buddhist Roots
Every single ingredient—whether fish, meat, vegetables, or grains—is the bounty of the earth and a precious life.
This Gasshō contains deep gratitude for having that life transformed into our own.
The Gasshō we perform so casually has its roots in ancient Indian etiquette and was established in Japan through Buddhism.
In Buddhist teachings, the right hand represents the “Buddha’s world” or “purity,” while the left hand symbolizes the “present world” or “impurity.”
The act of bringing these two hands together signifies “the unity of the Buddha and oneself, purifying one’s own being with the pure force.”
Therefore, the pre-meal Gasshō is a deeply spiritual ritual where we cleanse the worries and distractions from our hearts and accept life’s bounty with a clear, pure mind.
The Ultimate Expression of Humility
The word “Itadakimasu” comes from the humble verb itadaku, which originally meant to “receive by holding something up to one’s head,” the most respectful posture for acceptance, often from a deity or a person of high rank. By adding the Gasshō to this ultimate expression of humility, we are making a vow to life: “I humbly accept the blessings of this life.”
The Second Gasshō: “Gochisousama Deshita!” and the Repayment of Effort
The Gasshō performed after finishing a meal differs slightly in meaning from the first.
This is primarily an act of expressing gratitude toward “People.”
Acknowledging All Labor and Effort
The phrase “Gochisousama deshita” originates from the word Chisō (馳走), which refers to the act of “running around” to gather ingredients to entertain a guest. Thus, the phrase is an acknowledgment of the great effort expended to prepare and provide the meal.
The post-meal Gasshō is an offering of a spiritual reward for this effort and thoughtfulness, communicating, “I enjoyed the meal immensely,” and “I am satisfied in body and mind.” We put our hands together again to say “thank you” to everyone involved: the farmers who grew the food, the fishers who caught it, the people who transported and sold it, and the one who prepared the meal.
The Beauty of Cultivating Gratitude: A Global Perspective on Japanese Dining Etiquette
The sequence of “Itadakimasu,” “Gochisousama deshita,” and the two Gasshō is gaining attention globally for its unique and moving quality.
In many English-speaking cultures, while phrases like “Enjoy your meal” or “Let’s eat” serve as a cue to start eating, they generally do not carry the direct meaning of humble gratitude for life that Itadakimasu does.
The reason Japanese dining etiquette is globally respected is that it is a daily habit for people of all ages—regardless of religious affiliation—to clearly express “gratitude for life” and “respect for human effort,” and to pass this down to children.
The two Gasshō—before and after the meal—instill in us the strong awareness that “food is not to be taken for granted,” completing the “Cycle of Gratitude.”
| Timing | Primary Meaning of Greeting & Gasshō | Primary Object of Gratitude |
| Before Meal | The ritual of accepting life’s bounty | Nature, ingredients, life |
| After Meal | The repayment of effort and thoughtfulness | People, cooks, providers |
“Itadakimasu” and “Gochisousama deshita” are not merely greetings; they are the “spiritual baton” that connects the cherished mental culture of the Japanese to the future.
We encourage you to reflect on this deeper meaning during your daily meals.
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