(English is below)
The second in the interview series is Eiko Komatsu.
Since Komatsu-sensei went to an ashram (spirit dojo) in India at the age of 24, he began to search for himself, and after many twists and turns such as childbirth, he arrived at macrobiotics.Mr. Komatsu's ethnic macrobiotic class is very popular, and many students look forward to it every time.If you have a chance, please join us!Now let's start asking questions to Professor Komatsu.
Q1 : How did you become interested in macrobiotics?
After returning from India, I started living in the countryside.At that time, I came across a cookbook and became a lacto-vegetarian.I also learned about macrobiotic treatments from a friend.Since he grew his own crops, he naturally became picky about seasonings and made various preserved foods.I stopped living in the country after that, but my natural diet continued.
When I got married for the second time, I moved to Kansai and had my first child.When my child was 4 years old, when I thought about what I could leave behind for my child, I strongly felt, "Healthy!"After that, I started learning how to cook at Seishoku Kyokai in Osaka.The Sakurazawa philosophy was interesting, and Chairman Okada always gave me the necessary hints, so I thought, "This is it!"My family is healthy and my life is happy thanks to macrobiotics.
Q2 : What message do you want to convey to everyone?
In this day and age, there is too much information, and there are many unhealthy lifestyles and foods.In addition, there are many things that are not good for the environment or the human body (exhaust gas, pesticides, etc.).Therefore, I think that there are many people who are weak in mind and body.
When I went to India, I saw real poverty, and I started to think more about the health effects of affluence.
In order for humans to be happy and to fulfill their dreams, they must first be "healthy".This 'health' will be made with the way you hold your heart and the meals you choose every day.All human beings are independent and create their own "health".I believe that this will lead to true happiness.
Interviewer Secretariat Susannah
Interview with Instructor Eiko Komatsu (June 13th, 2016)
Today we will introduce Instructor Eiko Komatsu, one of our lovely cookery teachers at the Japan Macrobiotic Association. Her first step towards a life-style change was a trip to an Indian ashram (an Indian monastery), where she went when she was 24. Today her macrobiotic ethnic cookery classes are very popular at the Japan Macrobiotic Association, please do join if you have the chance, we are sure you will enjoy!
Q1. What brought you to be interested in macrobiotics? After coming back from my trip to India, I decided to move to the countryside, willing to start a lifestyle more in tune with nature. It was in that period that I encountered with a cookery book that made me deeply think about the relation between food and health, and decided to become a vegetarian. I started growing my own vegetables, and also to carefully choose all the ingredients I was using in my cooking. As I was growing a lot of produce, I also learned how to preserve foods naturally, without using chemicals of any kind.
Shortly after that a friend introduced me to the macrobiotic natural remedies, and I have to say I was really fascinated by this. Even when, due to different reasons, I had to go back and live in the city, I never stopped following my new eating and health management style, and also continued to study and research on this matter.
When I got married I moved to Kansai and soon my son was born. When he turned 4 I strongly felt that the best thing I could do for him was to give him “health”, the most precious gift human beings can ever get. therefore joined the Japan Macrobiotic Association in Osaka and started to learn the macrobiotic teachings more deeply. The precious views on Professor Sakurazawa's(*) philosophy that former Chairman Okada gave me in those years deeply changed my life. I have been practicing macrobiotics for about 20 years now, and thanks to this my family and I are blessed with health and happiness today.
(*) Professor Sakurazawa is the founder of Macrobiotics
Q2. Would you like to send a message to our readers today?
Today you can get so much information anywhere, and this can be very misleading at times.Furthermore, there are so many foods that can be dangerous to our health, but they can be easily purchased anywhere. Due to this, far too many people find themselves weakened and don't know what to do in order to restore their own health.When I went to India I really thought that one of the worst enemies to our health is “excessive wealth” Yet, in order to be happy and able to pursue our own dreams, first of all we want to be “healthy”. We surely can build our own health by carefully selecting the foods we eat daily, and by creating a positive mindset. We need to stand on our own feet and take responsibility for our own choices. I personally believe this is the most powerful way to pursue ultimate happiness.
Interview by Susanna
