Lol, humans around the world aren’t so different are they? Enjoyed the piece and thanks for the cold shower for Japanese, and in general Asian, culture worshippers.
Mar 3, 2023·edited Mar 3, 2023Liked by Pallavi Aiyar
Hey Pallavi, I'm glad someone called it out finally -- this fake enigma attached to Japan.
I am a Japanophile (literature, films, music, food) but never for the exotica, the japan as the orient (after suffering orientalism ourselves). Ikigai is just singling out something that you can perhaps even find in some bucolic villages of India or any country for that matter if you can package and market it well. Kintsugi is another term/fad that has even infected Bollywood if you have seen Pathan for that matter. Imagine a potter from Kurja in Uttar Pradesh wondering about why he should join his broken blue pottery in gold because Shah Rukh Khan said so.
The great equalizer and demolisher of cultural and social differences Jiddu Krishnamurti was right when he said all human beings suffer the same way. None of us are unique psychologically.
If we just watched Japanese TV shows, we would know why he was right. I am addicted to them since I can relate to them. When you cannot relate to it, you exoticize, you look for an Ikigai to market.
Great story, I smiled and nodded in agreement all the way through. I never watch reality TV but I'd love to see a show about Marie Kondo's current life.
It's easy to understand why ikigai is so popular. After all, books about well-being and how to improve your life never fail to top the best-seller lists. The fact that it comes from Japan only adds a touch of exoticism.
Another myth we should bust is the famous Japanese diet. It exists, of course, and it's well-balanced and healthy, but how many working mothers and overworked singles have the time and energy to cook those meals? One only has to pay a visit to the local supermarket at dinner time to see how popular boxed meals and pre-cooked food are.
Lol, humans around the world aren’t so different are they? Enjoyed the piece and thanks for the cold shower for Japanese, and in general Asian, culture worshippers.
Lovely write-up. Just found your Substack!
Good read. Personally never bought into the Japanese philosophies so this was more like a reaffirmation.
Hey Pallavi, I'm glad someone called it out finally -- this fake enigma attached to Japan.
I am a Japanophile (literature, films, music, food) but never for the exotica, the japan as the orient (after suffering orientalism ourselves). Ikigai is just singling out something that you can perhaps even find in some bucolic villages of India or any country for that matter if you can package and market it well. Kintsugi is another term/fad that has even infected Bollywood if you have seen Pathan for that matter. Imagine a potter from Kurja in Uttar Pradesh wondering about why he should join his broken blue pottery in gold because Shah Rukh Khan said so.
The great equalizer and demolisher of cultural and social differences Jiddu Krishnamurti was right when he said all human beings suffer the same way. None of us are unique psychologically.
If we just watched Japanese TV shows, we would know why he was right. I am addicted to them since I can relate to them. When you cannot relate to it, you exoticize, you look for an Ikigai to market.
In “modern culture,” aren’t we all caught up in some sort of rat race? Great article!!
Thank you Pallavi, for your profound and and entertaining look at Japans soul
Great story, I smiled and nodded in agreement all the way through. I never watch reality TV but I'd love to see a show about Marie Kondo's current life.
It's easy to understand why ikigai is so popular. After all, books about well-being and how to improve your life never fail to top the best-seller lists. The fact that it comes from Japan only adds a touch of exoticism.
Another myth we should bust is the famous Japanese diet. It exists, of course, and it's well-balanced and healthy, but how many working mothers and overworked singles have the time and energy to cook those meals? One only has to pay a visit to the local supermarket at dinner time to see how popular boxed meals and pre-cooked food are.