Abstract

Satohatsuko welcomed visitors to her accommodation facility, "Mori no Isukia," located in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture, with homemade meals. They would gather around a large round table, share their hearts, and eat together. She believed that "when you eat together, people's hearts open," and she lived her entire 94 years with the conviction that "food is life." Her care for ingredients, such as peeling carrots and radishes thinly because "vegetables are also alive," extended to her care for people.

Her meticulous attention to detail in making simple "onigiri" (rice balls) with rice, umeboshi (pickled plum), salt, and nori (seaweed) was truly remarkable. She also crafted everyday recipes like sautéed vegetables and salads with a deep sense of love and reflection on life. From the numerous recipes and words she left behind, you can also find hints on how to live life, such as "the mysterious power of onigiri," "choosing local ingredients," "from grandmother to mother, from mother to me," "having staple dishes," and "the usual side dishes.

Author’s Information

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