The Way of the Sword
a sharp metaphor for life
adversity-forged
whetting the mind, heart and soul
better than the day before
Musashi’s Tanka
Tag: mental health
Turning The Light
The light of morning,
a dispassionate witness
reveals character
Morning Tanka
Life becomes messy
When you don’t want it to be
Uncertainty makes
the pain feel unbearable
Help comes with the horizon
Autumn Tanka
This deep autumn day
brings new possibilities
on a gentle breeze
reminiscent of your touch
to keep me warm in winter
Haiku 50
The Stoics say focus
control what’s in your control
accept fate’s word
Haiku 47
The art of kaizen
is continuous progress
people harmony
The Kokoro Files: Scott Haas
People feel connected to Japan in different ways and in the case of Scott Haas it started when he was thirteen years old. From there, his passion grew and he went on to write about his appreciation for Japanese culture for audiences across the world.
Having recently published a new book called Why Be Happy?, Scott has explored psychology and acceptance through the lens of Japanese culture. Learn more about the book, his backstory and what he’s got planned for the future.
Why Be Happy? Review: A Resonant Book That Delves Into The Concept Of Acceptance In Japan
What do we mean by acceptance? Is it the avoidance of conflict? The understanding that some events are simply beyond our control? Is it the resignation that certain things won’t change? These kinds of questions are asked everyday all over the world and every culture has their own take on what acceptance means.
In Japan, ukeireru is a type of acceptance that the Japanese embrace and Scott Haas is interested in peering behind the curtain to see what exactly it means. In Why Be Happy?: The Japanese Way of Acceptance, Haas explores the concept of ukeireru, what it truly means to accept something and how the power of acceptance can help to build a happier and healthier life.
Oubaitori Life: Johnny Silverhand
Learning about Japanese philosophy is a great way to discover new life lessons and apply them to daily routines. Oubaitori Life examines the Japanese concepts that fictional characters apply to their routines and an interesting character to focus on is Johnny Silverhand from the Cyberpunk franchise.
A soldier turned anti-establishment rockstar and freedom fighter, Silverhand surrounded himself with Japanese concepts on a regular basis.
Can I?
Can I?
I ask myself this everyday
Can I?
Be someone proud
Can I?
Be someone who goes to Japan
A dream within a dream
Living outside
An existential crisis
Can I?
Live with being me
A contradiction
Up and down
Travel or no
Paralysed
Frozen inbetween
Can I?
Be a father
A man to lead generations
Children who look up
To the guy who was meant to lead the way
I don’t know
I’m drowning
In indecision
I’m shattered
Pick myself back together
Can I?
Survive the pandemic
Living alone
It’s scary
I feel the weight
Unknown shadows
On my shoulders
Can I?
Be the man
Inside my mind
Samurai
Connection to culture
Can I?
Keep moving
Uncertainty
I cry
Can I?
Breathe
I’m suffocating
Can I?
Live with myself
Can I?
Not be drunk
Making excuses
Can I?
Listen to myself
Find the answer
Can I?
Bear the pain
Move beyond suicide
Can I?
Explore Hokkaido
Eat ramen in an izakaya
Drink sake in a brewery
Be the gaijn in Roppongi
Dance awkwardly to K-pop
Dive into Kyushu
Drinking shochu
Can I?
Lie on a beach in Okinawa
Speak of the habushu myth
In bars with old men
Still trying to get it up
Can I?
Sip awamori
See kame
Melded before me
Can I?
Accept the things
That can’t be controlled
I don’t know
I’m trying
Forgive me
I will
One day
I see the dawn
Rising
Can I?
I can
Completed
A dream
Reality
The life I’m living
At last
I’m here
Peace
I’m living
A feeling
Without fear
Amazing
Clear eyes
Blue skies
The future is bright
Yamato Magazine 