Conversations from Japan Part 2
Kristina Dryza
After having a series of conversations with Japanese residents about various aspects of the culture, I thought it’d be nice this month to write a Q&A style article on some of the topics discussed. Below is part two of the series.
New Zealander Chris Berthelsen, a 30-year-old ‘managing for creativity’ consultant who has lived in Japan for six years.
KD: Favourite place in Japan
CB: (1) Late evening sento (public bathhouse) in the middle of winter. After enduring several cycles of the scalding hot bath (7mins) / ice cold bath (7mins) I'm warm right through to my lungs and ready for the walk home in the light evening snow.
(2) My balcony in Autumn/Winter. It looks out onto Mt. Fuji. A beautiful, crisp start to the day. Now if I could just get rid of that power line that cuts diagonally through it . . .
KD: Favourite Japanese food?
CB: Sashimi. Get a fish, cut it, eat it. So simple, but I can't begin to prepare a respectable meal of it by myself. In Autumn this goes well with warm sake, my other favourite 'food'.
KD: Explain an attitude that is 'typically' Japanese
CB: I'll borrow an idea from the CEO of a creative agency in Japan I talked to recently. Everyone talks about how 'polite' people are in Japan, but this might be more form, or process, than politeness. For example, we can see this in the business card ritual, ways of entering/exiting the train and hierarchical modes of speaking. Part of the reason behind this might have to do with the fact that so much of the population lives on a very small amount of land, and these ways of acting developed to keep people from killing each other. If you become very process-focused then you avoid a lot of aggressive and anti-social behaviour.
KD: Describe a product or service that for you embodies the values of Japan
CB: (1) Cell phones. Super-advanced technology, fresh design with a totally integrated self sufficient architecture and no need (or ability, or desire?) to work outside of Japan - the Galapagos Syndrome.
(2) The sushi chef down the road from my house. Forty years in the trade, 35 years in the same shop. From the outside he looks static and old-fashioned but he’s actually constantly learning and developing - still retaining a love and respect for his work (not sure this is the case for all though!).
KD: Name one thing about the Japanese that you'll never understand
CB: While I guess I can grasp it on a socio-cultural and historical level, I don't really think I'll ever understand on a personal level (or be able to imitate) the way people hang around the office until all hours of the night instead of going home and spending time with their children. I can understand a tough deadline now and again, but I don't buy that there's one every night (and if there is, there's something even more awry!).
KD: What do you wish the West could understand about Japanese culture?
CB: That value systems emphasising shared understanding, ‘the group’ and incremental improvement are not necessarily less creative than those that value ‘the individual’, blue sky thinking and spontaneous-combustion type idea generation.
KD: What do you miss most when you're away from Japan?
CB: (1) Invisibility.
(2) The option to wander around at all hours of the night and feel safe.
(3) Bakeries.
Brit John Page, a 30-year-old advertising account planner has lived in Japan for six years.
KD: Favourite place in Japan?
JP: Kichijoji Inokashira Park. A warm, unpretentious atmosphere with good memories.
KD: Favourite Japanese food?
JP: Sashimi. Simple is best.
KD: Explain an attitude that is 'typically' Japanese
JP: Reciprocation. Every kind act has to be followed by another one. For example, even if you buy flowers for a funeral you will get a gift in return!
KD: Describe a product or service that for you embodies the values of Japan
JP: 7-Eleven. Consumption for anyone, anywhere, anytime. I think that's modern, or demonstrates Tokyo ‘values’ at least.
KD: Name one thing about the Japanese that you'll never understand
JP: Hanko (a seal used in lieu of signatures). A signature is so much easier and more secure.
KD: What do you wish the West could understand about Japanese culture?
JP: The ‘exotic’ side of Japan is foreign to most Japanese people too.
KD: What do you miss most when you're away from Japan?
JP: Onsen! (hot springs)
Japanese Eri Kato, a 33-year-old mother of one.
KD: Favourite place in Japan?
EK: The surrounding lake area of Mt. Fuji. It's famous as a spiritual power spot. You can see Mt Fuji, the five lakes and shrines with huge, old trees. All this heals your soul.
KD: Favourite Japanese food?
EK: Hot pot as it’s shared in a friendly atmosphere with people you like.
KD: Explain an attitude that is 'typically' Japanese
EK: Being kind, conscientious, clean, polite and self-reproaching.
KD: Describe a product or service that for you embodies the values of Japan
EK: I can think of two. The toilet, as whenever a person gets inside the cubicle, the sensor detects a physical presence and the seat cover automatically goes up. I’d also say the hospitality displayed in a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel).
KD: Name one thing about the Japanese that you'll never understand
EK: Why they’re still hunting dolphins and whales.
KD: What do you wish the West could understand about Japanese culture?
EK: In Japan there is a long tradition of nature worship and a belief that everyday objects can have souls, or be inhabited by spirits. The idea is that there’s not a single God - but many - so you have to respect all your surroundings. This is Shinto philosophy, and though I’m not a religious person, I like how this vision extends our minds. Also, the West could learn from us about being open to every religion.
KD: What do you miss most when you're away from Japan?
EK: The large choice of food.