The Tokyo Olympics is coming in the not-so-distant future, and as we begin to leave cherry blossom season behind, its easy to see why there’s so much interest in Japan and Japanese culture. I’ve been lucky enough to have grown up there, and have written about my experiences in my book Japonisme.
Erin Niimi Longhurst by Stefan Jakubowski
Here are my top ten reasons I think you should live life more Japanese:
An Appreciation for Nature
Whether its giving your bonsai tree some much needed TLC, dabbling in Ikebana (flower arranging), or practicing Shinrin-yoku, also known as ‘forest bathing’, take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the natural world around you. There are also beautiful words like ‘komorebi’, which means the sunlight that filters through the trees, to give you food for thought.
Elevate Your Tea Break
There are so many varieties of Japanese tea beyond matcha. Why not try hojicha, a roasted green tea, or genmaicha, a rice tea?
Be Healthier
The Japanese have the longest life expectancy in the world, which can partially be attributed to a healthy diet of vegetables, fish, rice and fermented foods.
Enjoy Food
Not only is Japanese food healthy, it’s also delicious! There is so much to explore in Japanese cuisine beyond sushi.
Japan is full of foodies, so much so that there is a word, kuidaore, to describe eating out to the point of bankruptcy.
Reduce Clutter
Stay organised and on top of everything by reducing clutter and thinking minimal when it comes to your home décor. Think repair, rather than replacing clothes or other items, and brainstorm creative storage solutions to save space at home.
Have a Good Soak
Japan is famed for its onsen, or hot springs. Unwind after a hectic day with a long spell in the bathtub, and use that time to collect your thoughts.
Form Productive Habits
The Japanese philosophy of kaizen, or continuous improvement, can help you achieve your goals – whether its playing the piano, or working up to that yoga position you haven’t quite mastered yet. Be patient with yourself, but be disciplined by forming productive daily habits.
Embrace Imperfection
Kintsugi is the art of ceramic repair using gold lacquer. As a result, a broken cup or plate can appear even more beautiful than it was before it was broken – learn to see opportunities, rather than failures.
Improve Your Penmanship
You can buy fudepen, or brush pens, to achieve a beautiful effect without having to run the risk of getting ink all over yourself. The brush is quite unforgiving, and any hesitations or mistakes can be seen on the paper. All it takes is practice!
Find Your Purpose
What is your Ikigai, or reason for living? What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning, and makes you tick? Look to find balance, prioritise the things you love, and take the time to take care of yourself.
