Reevaluating Eating Habits with Edo Wisdom: The Teachings of Minami Nankoku and the Practice of One-Meal-a-Day

Why I Chose This Book

Since I typically read business books, I picked up this one as a refreshing break. Its unique content intrigued me, so I’d like to share my experience.

My Purpose and Connection to One-Meal-a-Day

I’ve been practicing a one-meal-a-day (OMAD) lifestyle on weekdays for about four years now. As a child, I suffered from atopic dermatitis, so I became interested in fasting, hoping it might improve my condition. Around seven years ago, I read “If You Stop Eating for Three Days, 70% of Your Ailments Will Heal” by Shunsuke Funase. Inspired by it, I first quit breakfast, transitioning to two meals a day. A few years later, during an extremely busy project where I often skipped lunch, I naturally shifted to eating only dinner.

Although I no longer work on intense projects, I’ve continued with this lifestyle. My health has improved, and my dermatitis symptoms have eased. More importantly, I enjoy the freedom of extra time in the mornings and during lunch. I use mornings for my routine and lunch breaks for naps or reading.

For the past two years, I’ve also included protein and multivitamins in my morning routine, which could technically be considered a form of breakfast. On workdays or weekends when I eat with colleagues or family, I join them for lunch, though I often feel sleepy afterward. This reminds me how energy-intensive digestion can be.

Who Was Minami Nankoku?

Minami Nankoku was a renowned physiognomist from the Edo period. I encountered his philosophy in videos on fasting and was inspired to read “Learning from Edo’s Frugality: The Shushinroku of Minami Nankoku” by Asahiko Iwai.

Nankoku had an unhealthy lifestyle in his youth and was told he would die young. Determined to change his fate, he adopted a diet of barley and soybeans, eventually living to the age of 78—nearly twice the average lifespan of his time.

Reevaluating Eating Habits with Edo Wisdom: The Teachings of Minami Nankoku and the Practice of One-Meal-a-Day

Why I Chose This Book

Since I typically read business books, I picked up this one as a refreshing break. Its unique content intrigued me, so I’d like to share my experience.

My Purpose and Connection to One-Meal-a-Day

I’ve been practicing a one-meal-a-day lifestyle on weekdays for about four years now.
As a child, I suffered from atopic dermatitis, so I became interested in fasting, hoping it might improve my condition.
Around seven years ago, I read “If You Stop Eating for Three Days, 70% of Your Ailments Will Heal” by Shunsuke Funase.

Inspired by it, I first quit breakfast, transitioning to two meals a day.
A few years later, during an extremely busy project where I often skipped lunch, I naturally shifted to eating only dinner.

Although I no longer work on intense projects, I’ve continued with this lifestyle.
My health has improved, and my dermatitis symptoms have eased.
More importantly, I enjoy the freedom of extra time in the mornings and during lunch. I use mornings for my routine and lunch breaks for naps or reading.

For the past two years, I’ve also included protein and multivitamins in my morning routine, which could technically be considered a form of breakfast.
On workdays or weekends when I eat with colleagues or family, I join them for lunch, though I often feel sleepy afterward. This reminds me how energy-intensive digestion can be.

Who Was Minami Nankoku?

Minami Nankoku was a renowned physiognomist from the Edo period.
I encountered his philosophy in videos on fasting and was inspired to read “Learning from Edo’s Frugality: The Shushinroku of Minami Nankoku” by Asahiko Iwai.

Nankoku had an unhealthy lifestyle in his youth and was told he would die young.
Determined to change his fate, he adopted a diet of barley and soybeans, eventually living to the age of 78—nearly twice the average lifespan of his time.

Key Insights from Nankoku’s Teachings

Though there is little modern scientific evidence to support his ideas, Nankoku’s philosophy offers thought-provoking insights:

Moderation Extends Life
- Nankoku believed that the total amount of food one can consume in a lifetime is predetermined. Eating moderately ensures longevity, while overindulgence can deplete this allotment, leading to illness or an early death.
Food as the Ultimate Medicine
- He emphasized that no medicine can replace food, as proper nutrition is the key to sustaining life.
Moderation Brings Good Fortune
- Practicing restraint in eating can avert misfortune and attract unexpected blessings. The best form of hidden virtue (陰徳, “intoku”) lies in eating in moderation, or “eating until 80% full.”
The Head of the Household Controls Family Fate
- Overeating and indulgence by the family head can drain the fortune of future generations. The family’s prosperity hinges on the head’s dietary restraint.
Avoiding White Rice and Meat
- Nankoku advised against excessive consumption of meat due to its palatability, though he allowed exceptions for older individuals. He also noted that commoners should avoid eating white rice, as it was a luxury reserved for the shogun.
Skipping Meals When Not Hungry
- Forcing oneself to eat without hunger is unnecessary. It’s better to leave food unfinished, as this symbolizes returning it to heaven.

My Takeaways from the Book

Although I don’t fully understand the reasoning behind Nankoku’s teachings, they resonate with me. His philosophy aligns with my OMAD lifestyle, reinforcing my commitment to continue.

Recent research supports the benefits of fasting, such as triggering autophagy, a process where cells repair themselves, contributing to anti-aging. Nankoku’s idea of “eating moderately” reminds me to aim for 80% fullness. Since I tend to overeat during my one daily meal, I’ll now focus on practicing moderation.

For physically demanding activities, I plan to make exceptions, as Nankoku allowed for greater consumption when needed.

Nankoku’s philosophy, though rooted in the Edo period, offers valuable lessons on health, moderation, and fortune that remain relevant today.