In this video, Nick Kemp explores Japan’s culture and values, from cherishing moments with ichigo ichie to Shintoism’s view of nature as divine. He reflects on cultural nuances like honne and tatemae and contrasts them with Australia’s relaxed approach to life.
Appreciating different Japanese ideas
Nick: You've touched on so much that this resonates with me. Is it kotowaza? Kotowaza ichigo ichie. That was the first expression or meaningful expression I learned when I came to Japan. I think it was used to promote the movie Forrest Gump.
And my Japanese teacher brought out the kanji for that, ichigo ichie. So I have a very fond memory of learning that and then seeing the movie Forrest Gump in Japan, in Tokyo and recognizing. And that whole movie is a series of these once in a lifetime encounters.
And appreciating them is, perhaps, something we need to do and recognize more. And then this idea of how Shinto, Shintoism is something I've explored. And I recently found that out that traditionally, Japanese perceived God as nature.
And nature had these expressions of gods or spirits tied to them, which is very different to other cultures, where we tend to see God above everyone. And then men, I guess, comes under God. And then men have some sort of control over nature, which hasn't really worked well, for us.
We've got a lot of problems, because of that mindset, or that attitude. Yeah, and it's interesting how you mentioned your values, and what's important, what aligns to your values, and even aspects of your own culture that you struggle with, because they don't align.
And I often think for many Japanese, you know, living in Japan would be quite hard sometimes. As you said, honne and tatemae, once you go out into society, so in the workplace or with other people, you have to put on, I guess, a mask almost, because you don't want to offend anyone, or you don't want to, I guess break the ittaikan, the group harmony.
So it's quite complicated, I think, whereas in Australia, we can just kind of, 'it should be right', we're quite relaxed. And if we disagree, who cares. So it's fascinating. I mean, your culture is fascinating, all of its history.