山伏
キウイ
Don’t you know it’s normal?
What an annoying set of words. I mean people don’t say it, they more insinuate it with their actions and expressions. Either way, once you hear or sense it, you know you’ve fucked up in some way or another. As a resident in Japan, this happens quite often, even after nearly a decade. Now though, I don’t really care. I’m pretty blasé about it all. But at the same time, I think we shouldn’t expect people to just assimilate to other cultures.
Especially in Japan. The culture is so context-based it’s very easy for Japanese people to expect non-Japanese to know things. And when you’re trying to bridge the two cultures, sometimes it’s frankly annoying. Not to explain to the non-Japanese the ins and outs of Japanese culture, no, that part’s understandable. The hard part is to explain to the Japanese that they truly are unique, and that some facets of their culture are completely taken for granted that need to be explained. In other words, I think the Japanese need to be more understandable, although I can’t blame them for trying.
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.
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Tim.
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