Georges Ohsawa

Georges Ohsawa, (birthname 桜沢如一 Joichi Sakurazawa) born in October 18, 1893 and died April 23, 1966. Founder of the Macrobiotic diet and philosophy.

Background

He was born in a family whose father was descended directly from samurai. But this was the period of the Meiji Restoration and his family were very poor. He had to leave school after the compulsory high school as there was no money for higher education. This is when his spiritual path started.

Related Topics:
Samurai - Meiji Restoration - Spiritual

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Around 1913 he met up with Nishibata Manabu (a direct disciple of the late Dr. Sagen Ishizuka) and studied with him in Tokyo in the movement Shoku-yo Kai.

Related Topics:
Nishibata Manabu - Dr. Sagen Ishizuka - Tokyo - Shoku-yo Kai

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Later he travelled to Europe, particularly Paris, France where he started to spread his philosophy.

Related Topics:
Europe - Paris - France

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After several years he returned to Japan to start a foundation, and gather recruits for his now formalized philosophy. After drawing attention to himself during World War II for his pacifist ideals, he moved his institution to a remote area in the mountains of Yamanashi prefecture.

Related Topics:
World War II - Pacifist - Yamanashi prefecture

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When living in Europe he went under the pen names of Musagendo Sakurazawa, Nyoiti Sakurazawa, and Yukikazu Sakurazawa.

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It is presumed that he got the western name for his movement from a book written by Dr. Christoph Wilhelm Hufeland as it is known that he spent time in Europe with a descendent of Dr. Hufeland's.

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Two of his Japanese disciples are also credited with disseminating Macrobiotics to the west and the USA in particular. They are Herman Aihara and Michio Kushi. There were many others as well though.

Related Topics:
Disciple - USA - Herman Aihara - Michio Kushi

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