みなさん、こんにちは。In this blog post, I would like to write about Japonisme by Erin Niimi Longhurst. Japonisme is a book that explores the art of finding contentment and gives readers practical tips to live a happier, healthier, and more thoughtful life.
In this article, I would like to show you these Japanese words, expressions and concepts explained in Japonisme.
Ikigai (生き甲斐)
Ikigai (生き甲斐) refers to having a sense of purpose in life and being motivated. In other words, what gives us meaning for life.
According to a Japanese psychologist Katsuya Inoue Ikigai consists of 2 aspects: ‘Sources or objects that bring value or meaning to life’ and ‘a feeling that one’s life has value or meaning because of existance of its source or object’.
Ai (愛) and Koi (恋)
In Japanese, there are two words for ‘love’: ai (愛) and koi (恋). The former refers to all-encompassing love, a mutual unshakeable love (like parents’ love). On the other hand, the latter refers to romantic love. While ai (愛) is mostly driven from the self, koi (恋) tends to go in one direction and it can be unreciprocated. Romantic love, longing, desire,wanting, infatuation are all koi (恋).
You can use the word ai (愛) for your friends and families, but the word koi (恋) would be used only between romantic partners.
Sakoku (鎖国)
Sakoku (鎖国) refers to the isolationist policy of the Japanese Tokugawa shogunate. Sakoku lasted from 1603 and 1868 during the Edo period, during which nearly all foreign countries were banned from entering Japan and Japanese people were kept from leaving the country.
This policy is considered why Japan’s culture and traditions developed in the way that is so unique and special as it allowed the country to acquire a strong, rich and distinct identity without external influence.
Shinzou (心臓) vs Hāto (ハート) vs Kokoro (心)
There is a few words for ‘hear’.
1 – Sinzō (心臓): Shinzō refers to the physical organ that beats within us. While the name of Japan’s former prime minister is also Shinzō (晋三), that’s a different combination of kanji characters.
2 – Hāto (ハート): The shape of love heart 💗
3 – Kokoro (心): Kokoro (心) refers to the emotional, and spiritual states of all sentient beings.
Kaizen (改善)
Kaizen (改善) refers to ‘continuous improvement’. It’s made of two kanji characters: 改, which refers to reformation, change, or revision and 善, which means good or virtue.
The concept of Kaizen (改善) was originated in post-World War 2 Japan when groups of workers focused on preventing defects at Toyota, and popularised in the West by Masaaki Imai via his book Kaizen: the Key to Japan’s Competitive Success in 1986.
Otsukaresama (お疲れ様)
Tsukareru (疲れる) means ‘to be tired’ in Japanese. Otsukaresama (お疲れ様) means ‘you’re tired’ and the expression is used in a similar way to ‘Good job’ or ‘Thank you for your hard work’. The phrase focuses on registering another’s hard work and showing gratitude for it.
Kokuhaku (告白)
If you are familiar with Japanese manga and anime, you may have come across the concept of Kokuhaku (告白).
A romantic relationship in Japan normally starts with this. Kokuhaku (告白) refers to a big condession where one person will profess their love for the other person with the intention and hope that it’s reciprocated.
Haiku (俳句)
Haiku (俳句) is a type of short form poetry originated in Japan. Haiku (俳句) is a 3-line poem in which first and last line contains 5 syllables and the middle containing 7.
Haiku must contain a kigo (季語) or a seasonal reference, and attempts to convey various ideas and images.
Wabi-sabi (侘寂)
Wabi-sabi (侘寂) refers to a world view centred on accepting transience, impermanence, incomplete and imperfection in nature.
Wabi (侘) refers to recognising beauty in humble simplicity, while Sabi (寂) is about how things manifest its beauty through growing, ageing and decaying.
Shibui (渋い)
In Japonisme, Niimi explains that Shibui is a muted, understated and sophisticated, yet modest and subdued kind of beauty that hints at a deeper complexity within despite seemingly simple upon first glance.
Mono no aware (物の哀れ)
Mono no aware (物の哀れ) is literally translated to ‘pathos of things’ or ‘an empathy towards things’. This is a Japanese idiom for awareness of impermanence or transitory ephemeral nature of life, and gentle sadness from acknowledging and accepting this state being the reality of life.
An example of mono no aware (物の哀れ) is often seen regarding sakura (桜) or cherry blossoms. Japanese people enjoy watching cherry blossoms, celebrating for their beauty as well as signifying the arrival of spring and new school (and work) year (Japanese schools start in April). Yet, they are only in bloom for a couple of weeks. You enjoy the blossoms, feel sad to see it go at the same time accept it’s just part of the process of nature.
Kintsugi (金継ぎ)
Kintsugi (金継ぎ) is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with gold, silver or platinum. Rather than discarded or lamented for its flaws, kintsugi (金継ぎ) treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object.
Shinrinyoku (森林浴)
Shinrinyoku (森林浴) or ‘forest bathing’ refers to a mindfulness practice of healing through being immersed in nature.
Shinrinyoku (森林浴) can offer you an eco-antidote to your busy life, and inspire you to reconnect with your surrounding natural environment.
Shōganai (しょうがない)
Shōganai (しょうがない) translates to ‘it cannot be helped’. Japanese people use this phrase very often when something that’s out of their control happens. This phrase acknowledges one’s disappointment when something that’s out of their control happens but also also suggests in such case, it’s better to simply accept it and move on.
Kachō Fūgetsu (花鳥風月)
花 refers to ‘flower’, 鳥 refers to ‘bird’, 風 refers to ‘wind’ and 月 refers to ‘moon’, yet 花鳥風月 is more than the sum of these 4 kanji characters. This 4-kanji idiom refers to beauties of nature.
Komorebi (木漏れ日)
Komorebi (木漏れ日) refers to dappled sun light that were filtered through the canopy and branches.
Kogarashi (木枯らし)
Kogarashi (木枯らし) is literally translated to ‘leaf wilting wind’ – it’s a cold wintry wind that nudges leaves off the trees. It is sad that kogarashi (木枯らし) marks the start of the winter season.
Kawaakari (川明かり)
Kawaakari (川明かり) refers to the glow of a river in darkness. It can also refer to the way light (moonlight) reflects off a flowing river expressing the shimmers, ripples and gleams.
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