There is a sort of contradiction that I often feel lingering in my heart. On one hand, there are foreign visitors who come to Japan to travel, embracing and delighting in the beauty of our culture. On the other hand, we sometimes see news of littering, manners violations, or even crimes committed by some foreign […]
The Contradictions in My Heart: Sharing Japan’s Beauty and Facing Reality Read More »
When meeting someone new, it’s natural to want to show your best self. However, constantly pitching your own achievements can be exhausting for the listener. Read the rest on the blog on our website. ConnectingDots #CommunicationSkills #BuildConnection #MeaningfulRelationships #BlogUpdate
My husband sometimes tells me that I have a craftsman-like spirit. When it comes to myself, there are times when my mental strength is unshakable, and other times when it feels fragile. And inside of me, I sometimes feel both an “angel” and a “devil” living side by side. I’m sure everyone is like that,
My Craftsman-like Soul and the “Angel and Devil” Inside Read More »
My logo features the Yatagarasu (the three-legged crow) and Ame-no-Uzume-no-Mikoto. It carries my heartfelt wish for a world where everyone is free and at peace. Rather than simply “teaching” Japanese language and culture, my goal is to enjoy our differences together. We may not understand everything about one another, but I want to look for
I finally met the person I wanted to see the most. Today, I was able to meet someone I cannot thank enough. Whether it’s a restaurant owner cooking with the customer’s feelings in mind, or a teacher interacting with students by putting themselves in their shoes—when someone cares like that, customers and students naturally think:
I finally met the person I wanted to see the most. Read More »
Lately, I’ve been reflecting once again on the origin of my business name. I am Japanese, and I love the Japanese language. While living in Japan, it felt so ordinary that I didn’t fully realize its wonder. But after working overseas, I truly came to appreciate the depth and beauty of Japanese all over again.
Connecting the World Through Japanese: The Meaning Behind My Business Name Read More »
The person I often mention on my blog and in my daily life is someone with a “green hand”—they are incredibly skilled at growing plants and flowers, and they often generously share wonderful plant seedlings with me. The other day, wanting to express my daily gratitude, I went to give them a few fresh pears.
The Selfless Kindness I Learned from Someone with a Green Hand Read More »
August 13th marks the beginning of Obon in Japan—a special time when we welcome our ancestors’ spirits back home. When I look at myself, I realize that both the parts of me I love and the parts I sometimes dislike have all been passed down to me from my ancestors. That made me think: if
Reflections During Obon: Why Embracing Myself Means Honoring My Ancestors Read More »
Living life means dealing with moments of unfairness, feeling frustrated by misunderstandings, or being hurt by thoughtless words from others when all you want to do is be sincere. At times like that, a comforting traditional Japanese mindset often comes to mind. It is the belief that “There is only one truth. Whether good or
“The Sun is Watching”: Why the Truth Always Comes to Light and Keeps Me Moving Forward Read More »
Living life means dealing with all sorts of relationship frustrations and having days where your heart feels busy and stirred up. In the midst of such everyday moments, I was recently reminded of a wonderful concept called “Mae-iwai” (advance celebration). In Japan, there is a lovely tradition of celebrating things in advance—congratulating yourself or others
Celebrating Before It Even Happens: The Wonderful Japanese Tradition of “Mae-iwai” Read More »
