Ambiguity 曖昧

Radioactive contamination of rice in Fukushima was announced in recent news. In not only Fukushima and neighboring prefectures but almost other prefecture radioactive materials are measured. Eight month has passed since nuclear power plant’s accident happened. We spend ordinary life. However, we are afraid of invisible fear. We don’t know when radioactive materials are influenced in our body.

Other countries people might not be able to understand some ambiguous expression or attitude of Japanese. It is a one of Japanese culture and ambiguity is sometimes a good way for our communication. A candid expression sometimes stirs up discord in our society. Japanese fortunately can suppose the real meaning of ambiguous attitude or expression. It is difficult to explain why we can, but we imagine real meanings by the tone, the look, or atmosphere. In case of friend, we often use these ambiguous expressions on purpose to avoid quarrel between us.

However, the ambiguous expression or attitude of government or TEPCO will bring distrust for us and in international society. We suspect that TEPCO conceals the truth for us to avoid confusion. Everyone is interested in this problem. This isn’t a problem for Japan. It is serious issue for everyone who lives on earth. It isn’t too much to say that this fact influences to our future.

Japan must unveil all of truth and data for radioactive materials.

Itareri Tsukuseri

I think that Japanese hospitality at shops, hotels or restaurants is best.

We sometimes use the Japanese word "Itareri Tsukuseri" for good services and hospitality (Motenashi in Japanese). Itareri Tsukuseri means that customers are given a personal service. We often say "The services of that shop is Itareri Tsukuseri." This means the services are excellent.
When you go to a restaurant, you can drink a glass of water and oshibori (rolled hand towel) before meal. These services are free. When you eat Japanese style restaurant, you might be a cup of green tea or Houji-cha (roasted tea) after the meal. To be sure, it is free. This is just "Itareri Tsukuseri"

I remember a cashier during my trip in Europe. When I bought some foods at a supermarket, the cashier worked so slowly chatting with another cashier. A lot of customers waited without complaining. Moreover, she blew her nose in front of us. I was so surprised. This scene was unbelievable in Japan. Almost Japanese cashiers always work quickly to not wait for a long time. And they never blow their nose in front of customers. We think the attitude is impolite.

I think sincerity for visitors or customers are very important at the time in Japan. So the hospitality is comfortable. We are proud of "Itareri Tsukuseri" spirit.

Nobel Prize - Four Japanese

Big news were reported in few days. Four Japanese wins Nobel price. Almost Japanese are proud of this news.
Receiving Nobel prize is splendid, however, we are worried about our future. Because it is said that literacy of young Japanese students declines in few years. We thought that intelligence and cleverness is one of characteristic for Japanese. However, we might correct this idea.
I think that Yutori Education is one of reason for decline of literacy.

On the other hand, a lot of quiz shows are produced as a variety shows at TV now. Or brain training (No-tre) of Nintendo DS is popular. Japanese people including adults are interested in knowledge or study again. And this news for Nobel prize will be one of chance for thinking about our education systems again.

I am assured that Japanese people have always inquiring mind or strive to improve for our ability. Diligence is our proud and have retrieved our life. I think that we must not forget it.

Kotodama - Otsukare-sama and Okage-sama

We often say that a soul (Tamashii) inhabits in the words and phrases. We call it "Kotodama"in Japanese.
There are some words of phrases that express thanks and appreciation. I show you two words, Otsukare-sama and Okage-sama.
"Otukare-sama" is used when co-workers go away from work or co-worker goes back to the office. We can say only “Otsukare-sama” to co-worker. Japanese “Tsukare” means tiredness. So we imagine the co-worker’s job will be so hard and he (she) probably must be tired after work. And we say “Otsukare-sama to the co-worker in order to express our thanks for their work. The word is very short. But it has the meaning of compassion or appreciation. It is used frequently and one of colloquial formula.
About another word, “Okage-sama” , we haven’t heard it recently in Japan. It is a greeting word and very Japanese like. I like this word. Okage in Japanese basically means the grace or help of all of things, Buddha or someone. We can say as good and bad meanings. When we have some troubles or disease and we could solve these troubles or the disease cures, we say it to someone as beginning words. Okage-sama expresses appreciation for all of things that bring the solution. I heard “Okage-sama” the other day in TV. An old farmer used this word for his abundant harvest in his interview. I have forgotten the word. I keep my mind that I live safely and happily now by the grace of all of things. It is by Okage-sama.
I want to say good "Kotodama" every day.

Quiet Japanese

I recently read a book about India. An interesting thing is mentioned in the book. It is that when an international session or conference would be held, it would be difficult to let Indian stop speaking and let Japanese speak.
Moreover, I have heard an interview of a Japanese junior high school principal. He said, “The students are relatively good at learning words and memorizing a lot of things as knowledge. These are the questions that have an answer obviously. For example, the name of an era, equation of math, name of historical person, etc. However, they are not good at saying their opinion and discussing about problems that solution is not one.
In fact we don’t have enough lessons about speech, discussion, or debating with some issues at school. This does not mean that we don’t have our opinions. We did not get used to insist our opinion to other people.
We have thought it was good thing that everyone has same sense of value. Since Wa (harmony) was important in our society, we haven’t accepted and agreed with the their unique and different opinion with everyone easily. We shut out unique sense or remarkable behavior from our society. The remarkable behavior got even an aim of discrimination in community. In result, we have hesitated about saying our opinion to other people.
Now our situation is changed. Harmony or cooperation is still important, however, we can say our own opinion that is different with the opinion of almost people in front of people freely. Because we knew that it was a personality and unique personality is precious in every field.
Our communication ability in English might be one of obstacles in international society. But we should insist our opinion about various issues to the world.

Hatsu- moude

Today is very beautiful blue sky without clouds in Tokyo.
Hatsu-moude is to go to shrine or temple for new year with family. We wish our happiness and health in a year. We basically go to shirine that Ujigami-sama who protect the place is enshrined.The place that most people who live in Tokyo go to Hatsu-moue is Meiji Jingu.　http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiji_Shrine
I always buy Omamori on Hatu-moude. Omamori is a charm. There are many kinds of charm and they are sold. I love Omikuji. Omikuji is fortune slip.
Many booths (Yatai) sell foods or toys only Hatsu-moude. There is very lively.
Hatsu-moude is a big event for Japanese people in new year.

This is Omamori. (charm)

Osho-gatu お正月

A Happy New Year !
Akemashite Omedeto Gozaimasu ! 明けましておめでとうございます！
Today is the beginning of 2008 !
I hope that many people see my blog and have interests about Japan.

Osho-gatsu means January in Japanese. Gantan means January 1. Therefore Gantan is today.
There are a lot of traditional things in Osho-Gatsu. I will introduce about them.

Nenga-jo (New Year Greeting Postcard)

We, Japanese have a traditional culture for new year greeting card. Almost of Japanese write greeting new year postcard, "Nenga-jo" for our friend or relatives.
"Akemashi te Omedeto Gozaimasu" is typical first phrase of greeting. We can use this greeting when we meet friends or relatives first time in the year.
There are some numbers under the postcard. This is a lottery for receivers. The number for winner is announced on January 15. The stamp is printed in the post card and design of stamp is an animal of Eto. Eto means the twelve zodiac signs. The animal of next year is mouse and first animal of Eto.
It is important to reach the postcard on first day in new year. This is an etiquette for Japanese. Recently e-mail is popular among young people. However, it is precious time to write message for receivers for me.

Pantheism

We Japanese believe that a soul inhabits everything, not only human being or animals but also nature and architecture. It is pantheistic culture to cherish and respect everything and we think highly of calmness as part our nationality. These quiet circumstances existed in our daily life before modernization in Japan.
But now we forget spiritual culture, the feeling of an respect for the invisible existence in nature. Life in an urban city like Tokyo is very busy and people can’t afford to think about other things or calmness. Cruel murders and crimes are increasing and it is a social problem in Japan
The feeling of respect for everything except ourselves is indispensable in our daily life.

Waiting for a long time

Japanese have an interest so much for eating delicious food. Sometimes a lot of people stand in line in front of a restaurant. This is a sight that we often see in town. Generally these are reputable restaurants. The people wait for a long time patiently to eat the reputed food. They will sometimes wait for even one hour.
I went to new doughnut shop in Tokyo and was surprised at the long line. A staff stands handing a board and saying “Here is the last line ” The line was like a long line to wait for an attraction in Disney Land. And he shouted, “ If you stand here, you would wait for 1 hour.” I was surprise again. Do the people really wait such for a long time?
However, this scene isn’t unusual in Japan. Are Japanese people patient? I think so.
Regarding an interest for food, we seem to be able to be patient and have always an inquiring mind for delicious food.
Though I don’t think that this is a good case, patience is a virtue for us and waiting for a long time doesn’t bother us.
I think that patience is one of symbolic Japanese nationality.

Bushi-ni Nigon-nashi”

There is a phrase in Japan. “Bushi-ni Nigon-nashi” This means Bushi (Samurai) must not withdraw what he has said once. In Japan withdrawing a decision or promise that is said once was shameful as a Samurai (a man). This was manly attitude. I thought this phrase is alive in our country now.
However, my idea might be wrong. A Japanese leader of the opposition party retracted his resignation yesterday. I can’t believe that our representative politician withdraws his decision soon. I assure that people’s reliance on him will be clearly lost.
Though the case depends on the situation, the phrase is important about serious decision or promise like this case for human being. Japanese think that careless attitude is disgraceful. We should say our serious decision cautiously.
We are forgetting our good and old Japanese spirit now.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7080971.stm

Diversity and Elaboration

I think that we, Japanese prefer "diversity and elaboration". We research thoroughly and create updated products, namely we improve them more convenient and fashionable. (Sometimes more than necessity.)
For example ,there are many variation for green tea of plastic bottle in convenience store in Japan. And everyone knows that Japanese technology is accurate and elaborate , for example electrical appliances.
I think that "Diversity and Elaboration" are key to express our nationality.