“Itadakimasu: Miso o tsukuri kodomotachi.”

The title of the movie we saw and enjoyed means something like: “We are grateful for our food: Children making Miso”.

It appealed to my interests in young children’s health and in nourishing food. It was the story of one particular Kindergarten principal who has recently retired at the age of 86. She had long ago (1960’s) dedicated herself to her kindergarten where she followed her belief that a healthy traditional Japanese diet was the root of all educational success. 

So, organic vegetables, brown rice, fermented foods and fish (I think) were served for lunch. The children all gobbled the food up, licked their platters clean (literally). The trays of absolutely empty bowls told a story. No finicky eaters here! Why? I don’t know. I didn’t see any morning tea, or any sweets of any kind. 

Their dear little happy faces were a joy to see.