Akemashite omedetou gozaimasu.
The year A.D. 2024 is according to traditional counting in Japan the 6th year of the REIWA period (令和六年). Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne on May 1, 2019. The year 2019 was therefore the 1st year of REIWA.
2024 is a Year of the Dragon (辰, tatsu).
The drawings are by Geraldina.
Aikidoka are mostly fascinated by Japan. Ultimately, in Aikido you get to know many beautiful sides of Japanese culture.
A French journalist who has lived in Japan for 25 years and is married to a Japanese man has compiled all the things she doesn't like about Japan in her latest book. She usually compares the situation with that in France.
The book has so far only been published in French.
It is interesting to compare this criticism of Japan with Yoshigasaki Sensei's critical attitude to the conditions in Europe.
Japan fascinates and attracts travelers from all over the world: its culture and its long history, its nature and its rituals arouse curiosity and admiration. But its apparent perfection also has its downsides. In an unprecedented investigation, a journalist reveals the hidden side of the archipelago.
Is Japanese democracy as strong as it seems? How could a prime minister - Shinzo Abe - be murdered in the middle of the street in a country where there is hardly any crime? Is press freedom really respected there? How does school produce such perfect children? What fate is reserved for immigrants or sexual minorities? What's behind the crazy manga industry? Why could the decline in birth rates not be stopped in a country where children are kings? Is Japanese cinema what we see in France?
Aikidoka dress "Japanese" with Dogi and Hakama, bow in Japanese, follow Japanese advice and often have other Japanese hobbies.
On the other hand, Takeo Ischi (Japanese: 石井健雄, Ishii Takeo, born March 3, 1947 in Tokyo) is a Japanese who liked yodeling so much that he came to Europe 50 years ago and was later able to make a living from yodeling.
A detailed interview can be found here.
J-BIG: Germany and Japan definitely have big cultural differences. You have managed to settle in here and build a successful, very “German” career. What were the decisive factors for your success abroad?
Takeo Ischi: In general, Japanese people are reserved people. In Europe, on the other hand, people are comparatively open with their feelings. Body language plays an important role here and it is easier to express your opinion freely. In Japan, people are often unsure whether this is appropriate and whether their own opinion is even important. You can feel this reticence. It hinders personal development and a healthy relationship with the environment. Of course kindness is important. But it's also important to let go of your shyness and try new things. For example, learning a new language: The fact that I not only learned German, but also dialects, opened up completely different opportunities and relationships for me. This also applies to yodeling. You shouldn't just pretend. I learned real Swiss yodeling, real Bavarian yodeling and real Austrian yodeling - this way you will be accepted everywhere and get closer to the local population. Adaptability is an important factor. But it is just as important to communicate your opinion. The key is kindness, tolerance, understanding - and being open to new perspectives so that you don't stand still and so that you can develop further as a person.