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Tomoko Ogura

Tomoko OGURA

Total Food Corporation / Japan Chopstick Culture Association

(Representative Director of Total Food, Inc., comprehensive food consultant / Outside director of two companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange / Concurrent lecturer at Asia University, Toyo University, and Tokyo Seitoku University / President of Shoku Kijuku / President of Japan Chopstick Culture Association, etc. / After working for Toyota Motor Corporation's Public Relations Department, he became director of international conferences and studied abroad before assuming his current position. After working for Toyota Motor Corporation's Public Relations Department, he worked as a director of an international conference and studied abroad before assuming his current position. With "food and mind" as his main focus, he is well versed in all areas of food, from trends (analysis and development) to food culture, manners, nutrition, health management, food environment and mental health, and has a wide range of specialties. He has written academic papers on "chopstick culture and rituals," "Japanese chopsticks and peculiarities," and "waribashi and the food service industry," and has authored and supervised numerous books on chopsticks. He is said to be the only researcher of Japanese chopstick culture in the world.Total Food official website Japan Chopstick Culture Association website

12.24Wed 2025

Reclaiming the Sensation of Wood Touching the Body—Benefits in Japanese Lifestyle Culture and Circulation in Modern Society

Since ancient times, Japan has built its lifestyle and culture in close connection with wood, within an environment where forests cover approximately 70% of its land. Japan [...]

11.20Thu 2025

The warmth of wood that has accompanied eating: The power of food-related utensils to appeal to the senses

In the past, Japanese dining tables were surrounded by wood. Nowadays, tables are also made of glass, plastic, and other material variations [...].

10.21Tue 2025

The reason why people want to drink under a cherry tree Japanese people connect "food" with wishes and thoughts about trees

When you visit a shrine or temple, you may see a person placing his or her hands on a large tree that is said to be as long as a thousand years old. Trees are exposed to rain, dew, and water in the air [...].

9.29Mon 2025

Japanese Living with Trees: Memories of Forest Culture Engraved in Clothing, Food, and Housing

I believe that Japan is a country of "wood" and "water". However, when we look at the lifestyle of Japanese people today, it is the past tense of "it was a country [...].

8.21Thu 2025

Asunaro chopsticks are also used to bring good luck Japanese culture that connects the soul of wood

In my previous column, I wrote that Japanese chopsticks were originally "not a tool for carrying our food" and that "the material is made of wood [...].

7.9Wed 2025

Why are festive chopsticks made of willow wood?

Chopsticks? What does that have to do with forests?" You may be thinking, "What does chopsticks have to do with forests?" but Japanese chopstick culture and food culture have a deep relationship with trees. [...].

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