Terry Ito Column Vol.68 The Ito family has a sweet tooth

Can someone please stop my "sweets-craving disease"?! My sweet tooth began at age 18. When I was 20, I started working part-time at Hatsune, a sweet shop in Kudan, Chiyoda Ward. I always craved the cream anmitsu, which I could get a discount on during my breaks. I'll never forget how delicious it was. In my 20s and 30s, when I was in the prime of my working life and would stay up all night editing after a shoot, I would tell myself, "I need sweets first to build up my energy," and I'd line up tons of chocolate, cakes, daifuku, yokan, and other sweets on my desk in the editing room. In my 40s and 50s, I became a bit more conscious of my weight gain, so I started eating less, but by my 60s, my sweet tooth was once again completely consumed. I could easily eat shortcake in the morning and ohagi (rice balls with rice). I'd have amanatto during meetings at work. Apple pie after dinner was also welcome. Yes, half of my body is made of chocolate and red bean paste. What an incredible talent.

In fact, the Ito family's sweet tooth is a tradition. None of the parents or five siblings can drink alcohol. Even the grandparents are non-drinkers. Because of this, even the Ito family, despite their large size, eats at a fast pace. However, as a family with a sweet tooth, it was a daily routine for the family to eat a whole box of chocolates after dinner. Those were happy days. Speaking of which, shortly before my father, who was hospitalized at Nihon University Hospital, passed away, my father, who normally never asks for favors, quietly asked me, "Teruo, I want some jam bread, so please buy some for me." Of course, I knew that the doctor had forbidden him from eating sweets for a long time, but seeing my father's face, I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I asked my mother for advice. She said, "It's okay, Dad loves sweets. There will come a day when you can't eat them anymore..." We immediately went to a bakery in Ochanomizu to buy some jam bread, and the four of us, including my sister, ate it secretly from the doctor. Yes, the Ito family has a die-hard sweet tooth.

Because I love sweets so much, everyone around me is threatening me that my blood sugar will rise and I'll develop diabetes, and that not only that, my cholesterol will rise and my bones will become brittle. I was getting scared, so the other day I went to Sanno Hospital for a full medical checkup, MRI, and blood tests. Contrary to most people's expectations, the doctor told me, "You're in good health for your age." I insisted that half my body is made of red bean paste, but he calmly replied, "Let's get tested again next year." What's going on with my body, even though I eat so many sweet things? Hearing that I'm healthy is starting to frighten me, but I'm going to eat some apple pie tomorrow anyway.

Terry Ito (director)

Born in Tsukiji, Tokyo in 1949. After attending Waseda Jitsugyo Junior and Senior High School, he graduated from Nihon University's School of Economics.
In March 2023, he completed the Master's program at the Graduate School of Media and Governance at Keio University.
He joined the television production company IVS Television, where he worked on variety shows such as "Tensai Takeshi's Genki ga Deru TV" and "Neruton Benikujidan."
He then went independent and worked on planning and directing a number of television programs, including TV Tokyo's "Asakusabashi Young Clothing Store."
His book "Comedy North Korea" became a bestseller, and he subsequently made numerous media appearances under the name Terry Ito.
In addition to his work as a director, he is also active in a variety of fields as a producer, entertainer, and commentator.
YouTube channelTerry Ito's Comedy Backdrop'
Currently writing a column in LALALA USA
https://lalalausa.com/archives/category/column/terry