“Omoiyari: what makes Japan, Japan”
“Omoiyari For Dummies”
Table of Contents
1.0 Acknowledgement
2.0 Our Reason: How did this book come alive?
2.1 The Mythology
2.2 The Relationship between Jizo Bosatsu and Compassion
3.0 Our Topic: Omoiyari
4.0 Jizo Bosatsu in Japan
5.0 Omoiyari in the eyes of a Japanese
5.1 About the Interviewee
5.2 Interview Findings
6.0 Discovering Omoiyari in Japan: Little things about Omoiyari (14)
6.1 Tangible Aspects(10)
6.1.1 Product Design: Umbrella Storage(4)
6.1.2 Product Design: Others(3)
6.1.3 Packaging Design: Braille on drinks(2)
6.1.4 Tray for Change(1)
6.2 Intangible Aspects(4)
6.2.1 The Art of Giving Change(3)
6.2.2 The Language of Omoiyari(1)
7.0 Discovering Omoiyari in Japan: Omoiyari in the Public(36)
7.1 Bookstore(7)
7.1.1 Tsutaya and Kinokuniya Bookstore(7)
7.2 Asakusa ROX Shopping Center(2)
7.3 Yoyogi Park(1)
7.4 Metro Station(15)
7.4.1 Tangible(11)
7.4.1.1 Facilities with Braille design(4)
7.4.1.2 Others(7)
7.4.2 Intangible(4)
7.4.2.1 Metro ethiques/manners(3)
7.4.2.2 Music melodies at different station(1)
7.5 Japanese streets(14)
7.5.1 Transport culture(2)
7.5.2 Other public facilities (4)
7.6 Restaurants(6)
7.7 Khaosan World Asakusa Ryokan & Hostel(2)
8.0 The Inheritance of Omoiyari
9.0 Our Conclusion: Omoiyari in a sentence
10.0 Our Installation: “Into the Omoiyari”
11.0 Reference
1.0 Acknowledgement
To the team: Ng Mei Ying, Kim Chan Hee, Tay Win Shen, Lee Jia Yee, for all the blood, sweat, tears invested in acing this module.
To Mr Asrizal Razali, for the words of advice and the suggestion of turning our findings from screen to print.
To Mr Charles Naidu and Ms Anis Ismail, for the feedback given on our work.
To Uekusa Yuna, for the detailed insight about Omoiyari and patience in getting interviewed regardless of the time constraint.
2.0 Our Reason: How did this book come alive?
Everything happens for a reason. And just like everything, there’s a reason this book came alive.
2.1 The Mythology
For our Intercultural Design module, we are required to study about Japanese mythology and its impact on modern Japanese society.
Our group has chosen to research the mythology of Jizo Bosatsu, who is one of the most well-known Japanese Buddhist deities (Yabai, 2017). In Japan, he acts as “the guardian of the souls of children who have died, aborted foetuses, travellers, and children in general” (Yabai, 2017).
The story of Jizo Bosatsu
According to Traditional Kyoto (n.d.), the miscarried children are not allowed to cross the Sanzu River in the afterlife due to their death which is an unfilial act to their parents. They are sent to the limbo of Sanzu River, Sai no Kawara and stack stone towers endlessly. It is believed that by making stone towers, they can compensate for the pain they caused to their parents, as well as to gain merit to cross the Sanzu River someday. However, demons would destroy the towers on the next day and the children must make new stone towers again.
This is where Jizo comes into rescue. He would hide the children in his robe’s sleeves to save them from the punishment and aid them in crossing the Sanzu River. Which is why, the Japanese have gotten into the habit of offering Jizo’s stone statue with clothing and bibs to pray for the salvation of their child’s soul.
2.2 Relationship of Jizo Bosatsu and Compassion
To Buddhists, compassion is the very essence of spiritual life.
According to About Dharma (n.d.), compassion is regarded as “the main practice of those who have devoted their lives to attaining enlightenment”. People who practice this virtue have “a mind that is motivated by cherishing other living beings and wishes to release them from their suffering” (About Dharma, n.d.).
Hence, this relates back to Jizo, who values compassion as one of his core values. The greatest compassionate vow of Jizo is: “if I do not go to hell to help the suffering beings there, who else will go? If the hells are not empty I will not become a Buddha. Only when all living beings have been saved, will I attain Bodhi (Yasuka, 2013)”.
With that, our group believed that Jizo Bosatsu practised compassion through protection. The value of compassion can be observed widely in today’s Japan as well. For instance, through the concept of Omoiyari (思いやり).
3.0 Our Topic: Omoiyari
However, compassion is merely the tip of the Omoiyari iceberg (Hara, 2006).
According to Shirukuroodo (2018), Omoiyari is “a concept of being considerate, having compassion and feeling empathy to others, which may come from the depth of their heart”.
This is not it.
The Omoiyari concept also comprises different elements such as selflessness, high level of sensitivity, sympathy and empathy (Hara, 2006). This explains why there isn’t a precise English word to capture the essence of Omoiyari, as too many elements are involved (Hara, 2006).
So, what exactly is it? And how is it reflected in different aspects of modern Japanese society?
As believers of the idiom “experience is the best teacher”, our team embarked on a 5,134km journey to the Land of the Rising Sun in quest of the answers to our questions.
4.0 Jizo Bosatsu in Japan
It’s indeed true about the habit of clothing Jizo statues with bibs.
While hanging around Senso-ji Temple, we bumped into a Jizo statue, clothed with two bibs around it.
Incense plate with the Jizo miniature was seen in a souvenir shop around the area as well.
Not only are Jizo statues seen on streets, but we also found photographs of Jizo statues in a photography book at Tsutaya Bookstore.
5.0 Omoiyari in the eyes of a Japanese
There is no better way of understanding about a country than seeing it from the eyes of a local.
With help from one of our groupmates, Kim Chan Hee, we managed to interview her Japanese friend at Khaosan World Asakusa Ryokan.
5.1 About the Interviewee
Name: 植草優奈 Uekusa Yuna
Age: 19 years old
Living area: Chiba Prefecture, Japan
School: Chosei High School
More about Yuna:
With her outgoing personality, Yuna loves making new friends all around the world and has friends from Korea, Australia, USA, and even Malaysia.
She is also multilingual who can speak 3 different languages, namely English, Korean and Japanese. Interested in understanding what her Chinese idols are saying, she is now self-learning the Chinese language.
5.2 Interview Findings
From our interview, we penned down a few points about Omoiyari mentioned by Yuna, which are as follows:
Yuna also enlightened us with several tangible real-life examples which shows Omoiyari as well, namely:
As Omoiyari is a way of living, it is evident through intangible aspects of the Japanese society, for instance:
6.0 Discovering Omoiyari in Japan: Little things about Omoiyari
6.1 Tangible Aspects
Omoiyari is commonly seen to be reflected on small unnoticeable things. Hence in this trip, our first quest was to observe the surroundings for Omoiyari-related objects that show tangible influences of this concept.
6.1.1 Product Design: Umbrella Storage
Umbrellas are used to cover us from the sun and rain.
But Japanese people go the extra mile: they have got their umbrellas covered too.
Location: Odaiba Shop
(1: Umbrella storage rack)
Ease the hassle of carrying your umbrella with you everywhere by keeping it at the storage rack prepared.
(2:V-shaped shake and spin-dry pad)
With the v-shaped shake and spin-dry pad (Parker, 2015), a dry umbrella is all you have.
Location: Hanamaru Udon, Shinjuku
(3: Umbrella covers)
Imagine having “raincoats” for your umbrella! How cool would that be? Plastic covers for wet umbrellas were seen prepared at the entrance of an udon shop.
Here in Japan, plastic covers have got your wet umbrellas covered.
Location: 21 21 Design Sight
(4: Umbrella lockers)
Worried of your umbrella being stolen? Fear no more as Japan has prepared lockers for it. You can now enjoy strolling around 21 21 Design Sight with only the locker password in your mind.
6.1.2 Product Design: Others
Location: Convenient stores, Taito
(1: Temporary resting table for bags)
Your bag deserves some rest while you are trying to get your purse out of the mess.
(2: Rolled plastic bag handle)
A rolled plastic bag handle makes one’s life so much easier.
(3: Suica card designed with a notch)
A card with notch, is like a torch for the blind.
They can insert it with ease into the ticket machine.
6.1.3 Packaging Design: Braille on drinks
Location: Convenient stores, Taito
(1: Carton drinks)
With Braille on the cap, the blind can tell what to get in a snap.
(2: Canned drinks)
Fear of grabbing the wrong can of beer?
Worry no more, as Braille has got you covered.
6.1.4 Tray for change
Location: Majority of the stores in Japan
A tray is provided at the counter for change to be placed. This way, change can be picked up easily without physical contact with the cashier.
6.2 Intangible Aspects
The second quest we embarked on was to search for intangible influences of Omoiyari towards Japanese society and here are what we found!
6.2.1 The Art of Giving Change
Location: Majority of the stores in Japan
If you have ever been to Japan, you will surely be impressed at how your change is being returned by the cashier. More often than not, you will received your change in the following order (McGee, 2015):
(1: Counting your notes)
Step 1: Cashier will hold out the notes with portraits facing you.
Step 2: Using two hands, the amount will be counted out verbally as they flick through each note.
(2: Handing over your notes)
Step 1: Notes will be handed in a neat stack with the largest value at the bottom.
Step 2: Notes which are now arranged from lowest to highest makes the next transaction more convenient.
(2: Handing over your coins and receipt)
Step 1: Receipt will be folded if it’s long.
Step 2: Coins will be placed on top of the receipt.
Step 3: With the receipt below, coins can be slid easily into one’s coin compartment.
6.2.2 The Language of Omoiyari
This is a language that prioritizes ambiguity before anything else.
Explicit expressions are not used so as to not hurt others’ feelings. For example, to reject an offer, the Japanese would reply with “that’s okay” instead of mentioning the word “no”, as directness is considered rude in Japan.
Aside from that, Japanese would show a great amount of patience while communicating with foreigners regardless of the language barrier.
This language is also closely related to “the culture of reading air”. It’s a culture about being “attentive to the thoughts, feelings, and needs of the people around you without the need for verbal expression” (Turner, 2020).
In essence, the language of Omoiyari is one of the fundamentals of Japanese communication approach and it is what makes Japan, Japan.
7.0 Discovering Omoiyari in Japan: Omoiyari in the Public
7.1 Bookstore
7.1.1 Tsutaya and Kinokuniya Bookstore
(1: Seating area with heating stove)
With the heating stove stored,
You can keep yourself warm even when sitting outdoors.
(2: Lights around the handrail)
While taking flights of stairs,
you will be surrounded with lights,
so you will never lose your sight.
(3: Hand bag for books)
Bags for books, for hands to hook.
So you will never have to put away all those books.
(4: Gloves provided for book-flipping)
Handle the books with care,
with a pair of white gloves prepared,
And a great book-flipping experience won’t be far away.
(5: Individual reading cubicle with lamps)
Reading in solitary in those lighted cubicles will make you go merry.
(6: Self-paying machine)
You will no longer be stuck in a long queue,
When Tsutaya got a self-paying machine built.
(1: Book wrapper)
To protect a book,
Brown paper is used.
7.2 Asakusa ROX Shopping Center
(1: Direction guide)
Huge visible signs provides precise guidance,
To those who thought the shops are far hidden.
(2: List of shops displayed along the elevator ride)
Find the shops of your preference along the elevator ride ridden.
7.3 Yoyogi Park
(1: Telephone booth with lights)
With the lights shining bright,
you are safe to call anyone even at dusk or dawn.
7.4 Metro Station
7.4.1 Tangible Aspects
7.4.1.1 Facilities with Braille design
(1: Station board)
Feel your way to the final stop,
with the Braille writings on the station board.
(2: Ticket machine)
Metro tickets can be easily sought,
Through the ticket machine with Braille on top.
(3: Metro station gate)
For the blind who are near the metro gate,
You can now estimate how long each ride takes.
(4: Handrail of metro station staircase)
Even the handrail will never leave the blind behind.
7.4.1.2 Others
(1: Racks for bags)
Tired of bag-carrying while free-standing?
Japan metro now has racks for your bags.
(2: Lockers)
Store your huge luggage in the locker,
So you will have one less thing to be bothered.
(3: Baby seat in toilet)
For a single mom who needs to wee,
a toilet with a baby seat is the best place to be.
(4: Space design)
Find yourself in a world of rainbow,
As each metro line has its color clearly labeled.
(5: Speed lane)
You don’t have to worry when you are in a hurry,
As a speed lane is prepared for those who are running late.
7.4.2 Intangible Aspects
7.4.2.1 Metro ethiques/manners
(1: Queue up at the designed areas to avoid blocking the other passengers.)
(2: While in the metro, keep quiet and avoid using your phone,
If you need to speak make sure you tone down your volume.
(3: Stable operation of the metro makes every ride a smooth flow.)
7.4.2.2 Music melodies at different station
With a specific music melody at each station, it allows busy travellers to recognize where they are, without needing to take their eyes off their book or smartphone… or continue their nap.
To get people on and off the metro in a short time, Minoru Mukaiya, a composer has created jingles for more than 100 Japanese stations. Besides, organised queues can be formed as trains come one after another in a short time as well (Sturmer, 2018).
7.5 Japanese streets(6)
7.5.1 Transport culture(2)
(1: Polite driving)
No honking while you are driving,
Even when there are slow pedestrians on the street.
(2: Lighted public transport)
All public transport has lights on,
To avoid road accidents from now on.
7.5.2 Other public facilities (4)
(1: Staircase design with luggage slope)
Ease the hassle of dragging your luggage along the stairs by using the slope prepared.
(2: Staircase handrail design)
Crest and trough along the handrail makes taking the stairs easier.
(3: Road crossing button for visually impaired)
Be as kind as Braille to help the blind to cross the road.
(4: Umbrella holder beside urinals)
Each urinal has an umbrella holder which makes your life easier!
7.6 Restaurants(6)
(1: Umbrella/bag hanger)
You don’t have to carry any things while dining in,
Because a tiny little hanger is all you need.
(2: Bag storage)
You don’t have to keep your bag on the floor anymore
as a bag storage is where it can be stored.
(3: Clothes hanger)
Don’t know where to hang your bulky winter jacket?
Hang it on the clothes hanger prepared.
(4: Warm water at the entrance)
A cup of warm water is what you will be given
While queueing up for a meal at seven.
(5: Warm hand towel)
Keep your hands warm as well as your heart
while having a meal at a restaurant.
(6: Immersive Japanese dining experience)
Staff dressed in Kimono brings hospitality to us all.
7.7 Khaosan World Asakusa Ryokan & Hostel(2)
(1: Full-length mirror at the entrance)
Groom yourself from head to toe before stepping out to face the crowd.
(2: Triangular-shaped toilet paper)
Toilet paper can be easily torn out with the triangular-shaped tip.
8.0 The Inheritance of Omoiyari
During the interview, we also came to realize that Japanese have been taught about Omoiyari since a very young age. Parents would teach this concept to their children at home, school would educate the students during classes, as well as the society itself. Since “Omoiyari is known as one of the most ideal ways of behaviour in Japanese society (Spiechowicz, 2016)”, it’s no surprise for the locals to be naturally influenced by it.
However, it may be difficult for foreigners to have a thorough understanding of the Omoiyari concept.
One will have to live in Japan for a long period and experience the influence of Omoiyari in society. For example, you will have to get used to the ambiguity of the language of Omoiyari. This concept may even take up to several years for a foreigner to master it.
9.0 Our Conclusion: Omoiyari in a sentence
So, after learning about multiple definitions of Omoiyari and experiencing its influence towards Japanese society, how would we define this concept?
Our definition of Omoiyari would be: a selfless and important act, which starts small but can benefit more.
Omoiyari should be done of a person’s own will, and no return should be expected. It involves interpersonal caring and consideration of others’ needs. In order to practice Omoiyari, you will need to be sensitive enough to “read the air” to think ahead of what others may need and show your concern to them.
Even if someone rejects your offer, you will still insist on doing it anyway because you know your concern may be important, and that it will definitely benefit them.
Omoiyari may seem insignificant, but when it’s implemented on a bigger scale, the impact will show, and more people can benefit from it.
Why is this virtue important? It forms a way of living with others. Ambiguous expressions, genuine hospitality, thoughtfulness which go the extra mile - all of these reflect the social behaviour of Japanese society. Without these behaviors, this country would feel different.
In short, Omoiyari is what makes Japan, Japan.
10.0 Our Installation: “Into the Omoiyari”
This concept, however, may be something new to the Malaysians. Hence, our team decided to make an installation entitled “Into the Omoiyari” for more people to know about this interesting concept from Japan.
Rationale:
“Into the Omoiyari” showcases the significant influence of Omoiyari in Japanese society through a total of *numbered* cards with QR codes. In each card, an influence of Omoiyari will be displayed after scanning a specific QR code. Just like how we interacted with the surroundings in Japan to experience Omoiyari, we wish to bring the interactivity to our viewers too. Our installation also aims to let Malaysians experience the sound of Japan through Omoiyari and the sound of wind chime similar to the user experience in a Japanese temple.
As for our main material: chopsticks, may seem insignificant, but when gathered in a huge amount, the visual impact is evident. This reflects our definition of Omoiyari: a selfless and important act, which starts small but can benefit more. We also hope to deliver the message “Omoiyari is what makes Japan, Japan”, through the placement of chopsticks which forms a flag of the Land of the Rising Sun.
Reference
About Dharma. (n.d.). What is Compassion. Retrieved from http://www.aboutdharma.org/what-is-compassion.php/
Hara, K. (2006). The Concept of Omoiyari (Altruistic Sensitivity) in Japanese Relational Communication. Retrieved from https://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/03-Kazuya-Hara.pdf
McGee, O. (2015, May 7). The art of giving and receiving change in Japan. Japan Today. Retrieved from https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/the-art-of-giving-and-receiving-change-in-japan
Parker, S. ( 2015, December 4). We’ve got it covered: umbrella culture in Japan. Retrieved from https://www.insidejapantours.com/blog/2015/12/04/brolly-wet-june/
Shirukuroodo. (2018, May 15). Being considerate, having compassion and feeling empathy to others is the concept of “OMOIYARI”. Retrieved from http://medical-treatment-japan.jp/en/2018/05/15/being-considerate-having-compassion-and-feeling-empathy-to-others-is-the-concept-of-omoiyari/
Sturmer, J. (2018, February 3). Why so many Japanese train stations play different jingles. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-03/the-story-behind-japanese-train-station-jingles/9390452
Spiechowicz, M. (2016, January). "Omoiyari" : the key word of harmonious Japanese communication. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325764700_Omoiyari_the_key_word_of_harmonious_Japanese_communication
Traditional Kyoto. (n.d.). O-Jizo-sama. Retrieved from https://traditionalkyoto.com/culture/figures/o-jizo-sama/
Turner, J. (2020, January 21). The Art of ‘Reading the Air’ in Japanese Culture. Retrieved from https://ryutokyo.com/the-art-of-reading-the-air/
Yasuka. (2013, March 1). The Story of Jizo Bosatsu (ksitigarbha bodhisattva). Retrieved from https://www.kcpinternational.com/2013/03/jizo-bosatsu/
Yabai. (2017, November 11). The Importance of Jizo and Jizo Statues to the Japanese People. Retrieved from http://yabai.com/p/3352