Japanese culture
Satoyama Nordic Walking along Water-filled Rice Paddies
Rice paddies have water now, and people will plant rice next week or so. The end of April to the beginning of May is the rice planting season in Japan. It is a beautiful time to go walking or cycling and my regular morning Nordic walking gives me further pleasure.
Yoshuku: a Japanese method of Manifestation
In the past, people had cherry blossom viewing parties not just to celebrate the blooming, but also to celebrate the rice harvest in Autumn in advance. The cherry blossom was a symbol of a good harvest and prosperity. By celebrating the good harvest in advance, people thought they would manifest that reality.
Going Local Can Help You Find Your Ikigai
Yesterday, I attended a symposium in our town, and Kazumasa Sashide, the editor in chief of a famous magazine called Sotokoto spoke there.
Sotokoto features many projects happening in small rural towns and villages across Japan. Kazumasa Sashide is the author of a book called Bokura Wa Chiho De Shiawase Wo Mitsukeru, We Find Our Happiness in the Countryside. He depicts many cases of young people moving to the countryside and finding their Ikigais.