Ao kusa no hito [青草の人]

The first character/ideogram means, "green; blue," the second character means, "grass; weeds; herbs; pasture; write; draft," and the third character means, "person; man."

Green grass man comes from the Shinto looking-glass God in that it connects the great tai chi to dualistic monism and then to man who is taught and perceived to be a "plant consuming entity." This means to many, vegetarian.

As martial artists we are naturally concerned with fitness and health. We take care of the external physical through the physical practice of martial arts but we don't necessarily give focus to the internal health and fitness of the body except by skimming over diet as we perceive, understand and consume. Apparently the ancient Japanese and Chinese long long ago recognized that man was meant to be a plant oriented consumer. Our nature and our teeth as example are not formed or meant to chew meat or meat oriented foods.

The LGG actually makes reference to the type of teeth are best used to grind grain. Then there are references to our close connections to plant and plant life as it was created and evolved as the Yin to the Yang being "man or mankind." Everything to do with health and fitness are tied closely to plant oriented foods only and introduction of meat leads, and current research bears fruit on this aspect, disease.

As Sensei of traditional or classical martial systems, even sport oriented for optimal performance, it is suggested that ao-kusa-no-hito be discussed and at the very minimum references be provided for self-research. I can see from personal experience the effects of this type of nourishment. We are truly "green-grass man."

Bibliography:
Stiskin, Nahum. "The Looking Glass God: Shinto, Yin Yang, and a Cosmology for Today." Weatherhill. New York. 1972.
Campbell, T. Colin, Campbell, Thomas M. "The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition ever conducted and the startling implications for diet, weight loss, and long-term health. BenBella Books, Inc. Texas. 2006.