In the 90s, phrases like “global village” and “global economy” were increasingly common. The technologies that have emerged since then allow us incredible possibilities of connecting and learning.
Think … besides anime, what do we as US people know about Japanese culture?
Are we so collectively refined that we don’t need examples of fūryū?
Does kenjō seem irrelevant to the greatest nation on earth?
Would we be impressed by a person who exhibits deep gyō?
Honestly, now, what do we think of a Jiro who says that all he has wanted to do is to do the same thing over and over, day after day, year after year?
Beyond someone like Fatima Rhodes, how widespread in our fifty states is omotenashi?
Could our workplaces benefit from training in yūzū?
Wouldn’t a little setsudo go a long way in promoting happiness?
And, come to think of it, don’t we all need to face up—daily, if not hourly—to mujō?
We could compose our own gathas that acknowledge mono no aware.
If we’re a little curious even, we can get our hands on a copy of Japaneseness, or a book on ikigai, and begin to appreciate other ways of apprehending reality and going through life.
We may even be led to reflect our ourselves—What is USAmericanness? What are our virtues, values?—the operative ones, I mean, not those that come out of the mouths of politicians.
What gets us out of bed in the morning with cheerful gusto?
Sources
Yoji Yamakuse, Japaneseness: A Guide to Values and Virtues
Jiro Dreams of Sushi, film, 2011
Ken Mogi, Awakening Your Ikigai:How the Japanese Wake Up To Joy and Purpose Every Day
