山伏
キウイ
An Aura of Busyness and… Pockets?
On cold winter days, I would walk around with my hands in my pockets to keep them warm. Over time, I came to realise that I was the only person doing this, I hardly ever see a Japanese person with their hands in their pockets. So I did the natural thing and asked about it.
Turns out I was right. It’s not socially acceptable in Japan to keep your hands in your pockets. Apparently it’s changing though, and it’s more common to see, along with people wearing hats indoors, but it made me think about the reasoning behind it.
Putting your hands in your pockets means you are not working. You are idle, and that’s bad. In other words, an aura of busyness is important.
But what happens if you don’t appear busy? Well, the same as most things in Japan, you will be socially outcast.
For someone who comes from the outside though, no matter what I do I’m a social outcast in one way or another. So, I guess I’ll be keeping my hands in my pockets.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Tim Bunting AKA the Kiwi Yamabushi, a New Zealander who became a Yamabushi Ascetic in the Dewa Sanzan mountains of north Japan. I’m part of the Yamabushido team, and we host life-altering Yamabushi training on the Dewa Sanzan (website link). People come to us for the ultimate mindfulness experience, to reach the next level, or simply connect with nature and themselves.
I’m on a mission to summit all 100 Famous Mountains of Yamagata Prefecture to spread the splendour of this fabulous location, and in dedication to all those who lost their lives out in nature, including my father.
On my daily blog I post thoughts of a practicing Yamabushi that I hope people can use to better themselves and live as fulfilling a life as possible.
Sign up to the weekly Mountains of Wisdom newsletter, follow me on social (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, Clubhouse, all @kiwiyamabushi), or send me an email via the link below to stay in touch.
Tim.
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