Imagine you’re having tea with a friend at a bustling, noisy cafe. Even though the room is filled with chatter and background music, you can somehow hear your friend’s voice perfectly clear. Or, have you ever instantly turned around because you heard someone call your name from a distance in a crowded street? In psychology, […]
When we are constantly running through our busy daily lives, we sometimes lose track of where our heart truly lies. In Japan, there is a beautiful concept called “Ma” (間). It refers not simply to an empty void, but to a meaningful pause or a “blank space” that is essential for moving forward.
The Japanese Aesthetic of “Ma” (The Space Between) Read More »
Binge-watch and enjoy this weekend. Get ready to feel the ‘Kyun’! Did you know? ‘Kyun’ is the Japanese word for the sweet feeling of your heart skipping a beat. Kyun MindfulnessAt35 #FindYourIbasho
With this intense heat continuing day after day, your stomach might feel empty, yet a proper, heavy meal just won’t go down. Lately, I’ve been in the exact same state. Without even realizing it, I find myself reaching only for fresh, juicy fruits and crisp, chilled treats. When your body signals exactly what it needs
I had lost my appetite due to the heat and was avoiding oily foods for a while. But I finally felt energetic enough to cook! It’s been a while since I last had it, and it was absolutely delicious. Life #Ibasho #FamilyLove #Gratitude #DailyLife #SlowLiving #SummerSickness #SupportiveFamily #HealthFirst #Mindfulness #Japaneselifestyle
There is a beautiful Japanese saying: “Nake wa hito no tame narazu” (Kindness is not just for the sake of others). People often misunderstand this phrase, thinking it means, “Being too kind to someone isn’t good for them, so you should keep your distance.” But in reality, it means the exact opposite. It teaches us
As we hit our late thirties and forties, life seems to demand more of us—in our careers, our families, and our social circles. We often find ourselves in the role of the problem-solver, the mediator, or the one holding it all together. But when was the last time you felt truly heard? And more importantly,
Is culture something we are born with, or is it something we create? We often use phrases like “Because I’m Japanese…” or “That’s just how they are.” This is Cultural Essentialism—the idea that culture is a fixed, unchanging set of values or traits. While this helps us honor traditions, it can also trap us in
Due to personal reasons, I will be quite busy for a while. Therefore, I will be taking a break from Japanese lessons for a few months. In the meantime, please continue to support my other two ventures: ①Culture Canvas and ②Pipon Crafts. Culture Canvas Pipon Crafts Thank you so much for your understanding and continuous
Did you know that Japanese has an incredibly diverse range of words for “I”? In English, we simply use “I,” but in Japanese, your choice of first-person pronoun reveals a lot about who you are, how you see yourself, and your relationship with the person you’re speaking to. It is essentially a tool for “self-designing”
