In Shintoism, gratitude is extended to the unseen forces and human hands that brought the food to the table. This is where Okaasan fits perfectly into the equation. The phrase honors the entire supply chain: The nature that grew the food.
Usually, family members will place their hands together, bow slightly, and say "Itadakimasu" before picking up their chopsticks.
: Saying "Okaasan, itadakimasu" specifically recognizes the time, care, and love the mother put into preparing the meal.
(mother) is often the heart of the kitchen. Addressing her directly before eating—"Okaasan, itadakimasu!"—adds a layer of personal affection to the ritual. It acknowledges her specific labor in preparing the meal, whether it’s a simple bowl of rice or a complex multi-course dinner. How to Practice the Ritual
Why? Because after marriage and childbirth, the couple follows the koshukubetsu (naming after the child). Once a child is born, the father stops calling his wife by her first name. He calls her "Okaasan" (Mother). And when she serves dinner, he presses his hands together and says, "Okaasan, itadakimasu."