Our Opinion
The Spirit of the Japanese
The Japanese often use the phrase, "it is such a worthless thingc" when they give somebody a gift. If one will understand this word literally, he/she will think how rude it is to do such a thing like that. Though, the real meaning is different. The person who gave the gift, of course, spared his/her time for searching to find the best gift to give. Still, this expression "it is such a worthless thingc" comes from humbling themselves, and showing respect to the other. Surely, this is Japan's peculiar way of humbling oneself.
Japanese people are often said that they "Don't say things clearly." Or they are said that "The Japanese cannot say 'No'", or that "Everything they say is so vague and we cannot understand what they are thinking of. " From the side of view where people live in a multiracial nation, insist on their own cultures to the world along with accepting other cultures; in short, to people who are living in a cultural area where they will not be accepted unless they fight for it, the Japanese may have a vague character. Japan, however, is an insular country, besides, is a country made up of a single race. The Japanese, which set value on cooperativeness, peace and harmony rather than fighting for oneself, wish to avoid as much trouble with others and live in peace. Long ago, there was a man named Prince Shotoku. He was a man, good in everything. There is a constitution which he made called "Junanajo no Kenpo". In there, something like this was written. "Respect peace and harmony, stop the fighting, and try your best not to disobey people. Do not decide on something without talking to other people about it." The Japanese have always put much importance on things like these. They remembered how to follow others in order not to cause a dispute with each other. This was not something that the Japanese were forced to do, but was done naturally from the mind of peace and harmony. This does not express that the Japanese are chickenhearted, but expresses the unique Japanese form of love. Japanese prefer vigilant attention, or the relationship where the other understands without saying anything, rather than saying and showing your feelings clearly. To have some action within the silencec this is Wabi Sabi. Wabi Sabi was originally born from Sado, and is the source of the Japanese. There is something about 'Wa', meaning peace and harmony, which directly connects to Wabi Sabi. Wabi, is generally honest and restrained. Sabi is old and refined, in a quiet tone. Sado is an art in which people enjoys the mood with their hearts, by carefully selecting the utensils used for tea, making the tea heartily, taking care of the guests, and quietly enjoying the sound of the tea being made, with the view of the nature as a background. This is surely, the spiritual beauty of the Japanese.
Sorry, we can't finished.