The Japanese words you know may have a bit different meaning to the native Japanese people. In a process of translating Japanese to English, sometimes, the actual meaning gets to be altered. There is no other way around because there is no other way to express it, yet the more I study both Japanese and English, the more “strange” I feel when I see a discuss about the Japanese word in English.
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“Wabi-Sabi” and ”Mottainai”. The definition in English may be missing some concept the native Japanese feel. In order to translate accurately, it probably requires numbers of stories. In short, the sentences are not “much enough” to express those words. Therefore, I would like to share as many stories as possible.
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What I am saying is a bit crazy since I am saying, “In order to understand the concept of Wabi Sabi, the one needs to understand the language itself.” Well, therefore, I am here to share stories. In order to explain the “difference” I am feeling, I would need to share as many stories as possible, then you would “feel” as I would. The process may be as efficient as you want. We all want to have the quick solution (definition) to a question. Yet, I hope you understand my journey to express as much as I can throughout sharing these reflections. I really appreciate the comments that you enjoy reading my writing. It means a lot 😀
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英語と日本語。両言語、知れば知るほど、疑問が増えてきています。「侘び寂び」「もったいない」、日本の文化として紹介されている言葉の英語説明（定義）を読むと、少し違和感があるのです。「ま、そうやって訳すしかないわな」と諦めに似たような感覚。諺もしかり。もっといえば、普段使う言葉ですら、英訳には妥協がある気がするんです。「すみません」は「Excuse me」だけでは微妙な気もするし、「お疲れ様」を「Good job」とすると微妙にズレてきます。
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「刺し子と生きる」と決めてから、様々に点在していた「なんであんなこと決断したんだろう？」という点が繋がって線（物語）になってきています。留学もその一つ。国際結婚もそう。不思議で面白いなぁと。刺し子を通して、「日本的な感覚」の再定義を促すことが出来たら良いなと思っています。飛騨の方ならわかるかもしれない。「そしゃそやぞ」という、現代においては「ありえない結論」が、もしかしたら世界には必要なのかも……なんてね。 ☆
Photo (C): Jeffrey Bardzell
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2019-03-28 17:24:48
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about these concepts of language. So much information is lost. I am happy to read your stories to better understand these Japanese words.
❤️❤️❤️
💜 thank you I am very interested in history and culture
Of this and other arts and forms of expression💚
Thank you so much for taking the time to teach us about your language and country.
✨✨✨😊
Bellísimo
Thank you! I would especially love to learn more about wabi-sabi. Ever since I learned about the concept, it is something I have been wanting to embrace more in my life, though the simplified explanations by non-japanese seem quite lacking. I mainly know it as a result of learning about saori weaving. I always look forward to reading anything that helps provide a deeper understanding of other cultures and the concepts they embrace (and get excited when I find cross-cultural parallels)
Thank you!
Yes, please share as many stories as you like! I appreciate so much your passion for sharing this craft and also the culture from which it comes. It’s so important that we see those as linked and not just exploit the techniques without understanding the people who kept them alive for so many centuries! 🙏💓
Thank you! Personally I think wabi-sabi no one can’t explain, as one needs to feel it. Admiring simple beautiful things. They may not be even beautiful but they look beautiful in their simplicity and they emit beauty. One only needs to hold on, sit down and enjoy the moment. That is my understanding.😊
@megwinnecour