Harvesting potatoes

I can't help but surround myself with wise older people. They emanate this aura that immediately makes you trust them and open your ears. Today, what was meant to be a quick exchange of New Year greetings became a 5 hour sit down with my Japanese coaching mentor and an unexpected/coincidental visit from her Tea Ceremony mentor.

We discussed the core of Japanese culture, '国民性'/Kokuminsei/National identity of the Japanese. Globally, people recognise the East vs. the West is broadly collectivism vs. individualism respectively. But I'm interested in the abstract: what does it look like day to day in action, what does it feel like to feel national and cultural pride?

While history may starkly show how such nationalism lead to, in modern day Japan, 国民性, this national identity amongst the Japanese is shown to positively manifest into order through consideration of others. Over tea, we discussed modern examples of 国民性 such as the recent Tokyo plane crash, the stadium cleaning after major sporting events or inside recovering Japan after natural disasters.

Belief is powerful. The tea ceremony mentor explained how in many arts, whether it be tea ceremony or flower arrangement or calligraphy, a practitioner must adopt a mind, body and spirit connection 精神/Seishin. Growing up, such talks sounded like mystical waffle to me but as I pursue this path more and shave off pretence, I see more of what 'they' meant. Interestingly, all of these arts end with 道/path, often known as 'The Way' (Miyamoto Musashi).

I believe Japanese culture has a lot to offer in Australia. It can provide daily guidance from its themes of simplicity, consistency (石の上の三年/no matter how hard, if you persevere, something will become of it) and emphasis on humility. Balance is key!

Now to attempt creating a team and value chain (interestingly the mentors both used an analogy of harvesting potatos/芋ずる式) where Australians and Japanese alike can gain something positive from shared culture.