No stranger to this time-honoured tradition, chef Akane Eno of Ichigo Ichie has been practicing her own form of sanpo-yoshi by retailing a small but growing collection of Japanese art in her own kappo restaurant to support artists back home.
Giving back to society has always been a Japanese way of life, even within the commercial sector, and this concept has a name. Sanpo-yoshi, which literally means “three-way satisfaction”, emphasises relationships, prizing trust and giving back, especially through acts of reciprocity.
It was a way of life for merchants back in the Edo and Meiji periods of Japanese history, who honoured the delicate ecosystem between seller, buyer and consumer by pouring back the wealth they gained directly into the community that gave it legs.
To continue reading our premium articles,
Upgrade your subscription to as low as $8.33/month to gain unlimited access to ALL of our premium articles!
Have an account? Sign In
