Thursday, June 07, 2012
Japanese Moderation: Rare Japanese Health Food Shop
There are fewer health food shops. The "natural food store" above is a rarity.
The Japanese eat less meat but there are very few vegetarians, nature is never far away but there are fewer nature enthusiasts, religious artefacts and rituals are everywhere but there are few Japanese that are really into a religion, Japanese food is generally healthier but there are fewer health food freaks. The same Japanese culture of moderation could be said to pertain in the fields of fitness, dieting, and even economic wealth. Perhaps this originates in Buddhism, which calls itself "The Middle Path." It might also be ascribed to collectivism and the Japanese love of being "normal" (futsuu) which is a compliment (Oohashi & Yamaguchi, 2005).
However, at the same time, it would be untrue to say there are no "freaks" or otaku in Japan. Otaku are many and varied. The Japanese practice moderation in all things, including moderation.
Bibliography
Oohashi, M & Yamaguchi, S 大橋恵 and 山口勧 (2005) 「ふつうさ」 の固有文化心理学的研究: 人を形容する語としての 「ふつう」 の望ましさについて,実験社会心理学研究, 44(1), p 71--81. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjesp/44/1/44_1_71/_pdf (Japanese with English Abstract at the end)
The Japanese eat less meat but there are very few vegetarians, nature is never far away but there are fewer nature enthusiasts, religious artefacts and rituals are everywhere but there are few Japanese that are really into a religion, Japanese food is generally healthier but there are fewer health food freaks. The same Japanese culture of moderation could be said to pertain in the fields of fitness, dieting, and even economic wealth. Perhaps this originates in Buddhism, which calls itself "The Middle Path." It might also be ascribed to collectivism and the Japanese love of being "normal" (futsuu) which is a compliment (Oohashi & Yamaguchi, 2005).
However, at the same time, it would be untrue to say there are no "freaks" or otaku in Japan. Otaku are many and varied. The Japanese practice moderation in all things, including moderation.
Bibliography
Oohashi, M & Yamaguchi, S 大橋恵 and 山口勧 (2005) 「ふつうさ」 の固有文化心理学的研究: 人を形容する語としての 「ふつう」 の望ましさについて,実験社会心理学研究, 44(1), p 71--81. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jjesp/44/1/44_1_71/_pdf (Japanese with English Abstract at the end)
This blog represents the opinions of the author, Timothy Takemoto, and not the opinions of his employer.