Unforgettable Japanese Cooking Classes | The Power of Gratitude on the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Over 10 Years of Japanese Cooking Classes on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
My classes welcome not only local women but also men and children—families and friends come together, sharing warm moments that feel like one big family. At the core of these classes is the spirit of “gratitude” and “musubi (connection)”—a philosophy deeply rooted in Takemusu Aikido.
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This article shares how I learned about the gratitude of “being allowed to live,” my thoughts on money and business, and how human connection and the future of cooking classes are evolving in the age of AI—all based on my personal experiences.
Introduction: The Words of Yukiko Sensei—the Origin of My Gratitude
“We are not simply living; we are being kept alive. If you forget this, true gratitude cannot be born.”
These words, taught to me by Yukiko Sensei of Takemusu Aikido, have deeply influenced my life and work. Again and again, Aikido training taught me that I’m not living on my own power—I’m supported by countless people, relationships, and invisible forces. That realization is also the heart of my Japanese cooking classes in Australia.
The essence of Aikido is “musubi (connection)”—the energy that ties people, hearts, and all of nature together. That energy is what I call “love” and “gratitude.”💫
The Heart of “Musubi” in Japanese Cooking Classes
In my classes on the Sunshine Coast, everyone is welcome—women, men, children. Parents and kids, groups of friends, and sometimes complete strangers quickly connect as they cook side by side.
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Hands shaping gyoza, the sound of chopping vegetables, the steam rising from rice—these are all symbols of “musubi.” When everyone gathers around the table and says “Itadakimasu!” together, you can feel the joy of support and connection in the air.
✨Humor and laughter are essential too! In my classes, mistakes are just part of the fun. “My gyoza exploded!” “Oops, I burned it!” We all laugh and fix it together. Cooking is serious, but hearts are always light. This relaxed spirit is what binds people and makes my classes unforgettable.
Lessons from Family Illness and Hardship
My life has seen its share of family illness and hardship. Seven years ago, my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I returned to Japan to care for her, spending each day in anxiety and prayer. We reviewed her diet using my knowledge of molecular nutrition and continued high-dose vitamin C IV treatments. Because we faced it together, last year we finally heard the wonderful word “remission.”
🧡I’ve learned that real gratitude often comes not during easy times, but when life feels out of control, and we realize how much we rely on others’ support.
“Thank You” is More Than Words
We often hear “be grateful,” but true gratitude is not just thinking “thank you” in your mind.
When my son struggled with serious illness, I truly felt the power of family, friends, and even strangers praying for us. Only then did I realize—I am here because of countless visible and invisible supports, and tears of gratitude welled up from my heart.
💖Real gratitude is not an obligation in your head. It’s the deep warmth and hope that fills you when you wish for someone’s happiness or good health. Just having people to be grateful for is already a form of happiness and good fortune.
“Gratitude” and “Musubi” in the Cooking Class
After 10+ years of running classes in Australia, I’ve struggled with language and culture, but I’ve repeatedly felt how food connects hearts, spreading circles of “thank you.”
The real goal isn’t just cooking well. It’s sharing a table, helping each other, laughing off mistakes, and savoring a meal together—experiences that embody “musubi” and the gratitude of being kept alive.
People often say, “I feel recharged here,” “I can relax,” or “I’m not afraid to fail in your class.” Sometimes three generations come, or travelers from overseas join in. All kinds of lives gather around a single pot, supporting each other through food—that’s the kind of space I hope to keep creating.
The Dilemma: Business and Gratitude
Running these classes as a business, I’ve struggled with pricing and the question of raising fees. I want to show gratitude to everyone and keep things affordable, but I need to support my own life too. The tension between gratitude and charging for my work—the balance between giving and sustainability—remains a real issue.
Offering classes cheaply brings smiles, but if I’m exhausted, I can’t continue heartfelt service. Sometimes I feel conflicted, or guilty about raising prices, but I’ve learned this too is part of running a business with heart.
Redefining “Value” and Audience
Whenever I’m lost, I ask myself: Who do I really want to serve? What value am I offering?
The price and style of a class depend on your intended audience. Serving as many as possible cheaply isn’t always best. Sometimes, “delivering real value to those who truly appreciate it, at a fair price,” is also a powerful way to express gratitude.
The Cycle of Money and Gratitude
Money, too, is a form of gratitude energy. Tuition fees from participants are a tangible way of saying “thank you”—a form of energy that keeps circulating.
I pour my skills and heart into each class, and the money I receive supports my family and the wider community, creating more happiness and more gratitude. The more I’ve accepted this, the less my inner conflict has weighed on me.
I’ve also learned that self-sacrifice taken too far can actually pollute the quality of gratitude. Respecting myself and accepting fair compensation sustains the circle of gratitude and service.
The Value of Human Connection in the Age of AI
Now, with AI transforming society, tasks that once filled our days are disappearing. What remains precious are the things only humans can do.
🤖AI can’t replace “heart,” “connection,” “empathy,” “care,” “prayer,” or “gratitude.” Cooking classes are exactly the kind of space where these human qualities shine.
So, more than surface-level gratitude or manners, what matters is to genuinely feel and share the heart. Cooking classes, more than ever, are about the value of the time spent together and the real human exchanges that take place.
“Gratitude x Business” for the Future
As the world digitizes, the value of real, face-to-face spaces grows. Money is not just “something you get”—it’s energy you receive with gratitude and send back into the world.
The future I envision is one where gratitude and business don’t compete, but circulate and sustain each other. Setting fair prices is not giving up on gratitude, but making gratitude sustainable.
Conclusion and Message
My biggest lesson: Realizing “I’m being kept alive” makes it easier to be kind to myself and others. Even in business, receiving fair compensation is just one part of the circle of gratitude.
Even if you’re uncertain, just keep searching for the balance between gratitude and business—that’s the essence of richness for the next era.
“Let’s build a business that begins and ends with gratitude. The money we receive is just energy that keeps the circle of gratitude going.”✨
What I Want to Share Through My Cooking Classes
My cooking class is more than just learning recipes. Even in a foreign country, I want to share Japan’s spirit of “musubi,” gratitude, and love. I hope this is always a place where everyone—women, men, children, locals and travelers—can gather, laugh, and connect.
With gratitude, I’ll keep striving to create “unforgettable cooking classes” here on the Sunshine Coast, Australia.
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