Jishuku - Self restraint

"The Sakura were late this year as if they too observed some form of “Jishuku” .......quoted from a photo essay by Francis Harrison , a photographer who captured Tokyo in a somber mood after the triple disaster (earthquake, Tsunami and Radiation fears) struck the island nation....

The Japanese history is marked by many instances wherein the citizens of the country have observed Jishuku or self-restraint to express regret and a feeling of responsibility in times of great grief and pain. Jishuku is like an unwritten law, embedded deeply into the Japanese community - an obligation that one must perform when expected.

One such instance was the death of Emperor Hirohito when the government called off all annual festivals and events. Weddings and music concerts were postponed. Television comedy shows were taken off air replaced by silent prayers and monochromatic public messages. Newscasters replaced their designer clothes with unobtrusive gray suits to match the country's somber mood. The whole country was depicted to be in grief and mourning the death of the emperor - who was considered to be divine - a direct descendant of God Amaterasu.

Personally, I had never come across the word until very recently, when the 9.0M earthquake and a huge tsunami destroyed millions of homes and left thousands dead and missing in north eastern Japan. The disaster, one of the biggest that the county has ever experienced, struck right at the onset of spring - a time of the year when normally the spirits of the people are high, and a time that is highlighted by delightful gatherings for hanami parties, graduation parties from schools and colleges as well as farewell and welcome parties for employees in companies nationwide.

Instead, the country went into a deep mourning, very quietly and informally. The government requested the people to observe a state of Jishuku, compelling people to refrain from any public display of happiness.(although later they requested people to refrain from Jishuku and to lead normal lives in order to protect the country's economy)

Graduation ceremonies and Hanami parties were put off. Concerts, sports and other events, even weddings were either postponed or cancelled. Out of respect for the profound suffering of their fellow citizens in the disaster stricken areas, people avoided going to restaurants and bars. Several electronic and gaming companies ceased or delayed the production and launch of their products. The release of new movies was postponed...and the list is endless...

Whether or not it is good practice is something which has been a matter of debate all through these years...is it just a mindset that has been passed on to people from one generation to the other...or is it really a necessity?

Although many have willingly or unwillingly (out of fear of appearing indiscreet to others) followed what was expected of them, not everybody thinks it is a logical thing to do, especially at a time when the country is reeling under recession and at the same time trying to deal with the massive economic impact, both direct and indirect, that the recent crisis has had on the country. It is true that emotions tend to run high during such times but one has to be practical - too much of holding back and prolonged grieving can hurt the economy.

There are those who feel that at times like these, we as human beings have a moral responsibility to grieve with or console those who are grief-stricken and in pain. We cannot afford to turn our heads away and pretend as if nothing has happened. With hundreds of thousands of people displaced up north from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, anything with the barest hint of luxury needs to be and has to be condemned, is what they propagate.

I feel Jishuku is something that probably comes naturally to us (at least most of us) when we experience such a traumatizing scale of loss of human life, for that is how we human beings are "designed" to feel and behave, and to an extent such behavior is legitimate. All we need to take care of is that it does not become an obsession and that there is always a right balance between what we want to/are asked to do and what needs to/should be done.

There should be a time to grieve and a time to refrain from it - for that is what life is about - it is all about change and does not or should not come to a stand still....it has to move on....and it is important that it does...for our own well being, for the well being of those who have suffered and for the well being of the country as a whole...

Ganbarou Japan!!

I have pasted a link to the photo essay - “Jishuku”: Tokyo after the earthquake" by Francis Harrison (mentioned above)

http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2011/04/29/Jishuku-tokyo-after-the-earthquake-by-francis-harrison/

Daruma - the 'Dharma' doll

Those of you who have been to Japan must have seen this doll several times - they are sold at omiyage (souvenir) shops outside various temples, shrines and other popular tourist destinations around Japan and onlookers are often fascinated by the peculiar face paint and colors of the doll.

I too was a bit fascinated by the shape and color of the doll initially but never ever thought of buying one. After all, there are much more popular omiyage that one can buy at such stores - who would want to buy a doll depicting a bearded man with no hands and legs...or at least that is what I thought...

Well ...i was wrong. I realized that when I got one as a gift from one of my Japanese family friends when I was about to finish my training in Japan and had been been struggling a bit to find my first job. My friend gave it to me saying that the doll was for good luck and that he and his family hoped that I get whatever it is that I wished for. He said he had been a little apprehensive about whether I would like the gift or not but he and his wife could not think of a more appropriate gift for me at that time. It was then he told me about the significance of the doll and all that it stands for...

The doll is called Daruma (also called Dharma) and was modeled after Bodhidharma, the founder of the Zen sect of Buddhism (that is where the name comes from), he said. It is considered as a symbol of good luck and is thus a popular gift given for encouragement. It also symbolizes self discipline and perseverance.

When giving the doll to me, he asked me to keep it on the table and try tilting it over....i did as he said and tried to tilt it over a couple of times - but the doll 'stood' back upright every time...see, that is how it is built. It is completely hollow from inside but has a weight at the bottom..so it will always return to its original position even if it is tilted or knocked over - thus teaching us perseverance and encouraging us to overcome our adversities..it also symbolizes our recovery from misfortunes ..and that is exactly what my family and I wish for you :). I was overwhelmed.

If you have ever noticed, it usually comes with big round eyes that are blank. The idea is that once you buy the doll or receive it as a gift, you paint one of the eyes black and make a wish.Once your wish comes true or you achieve whatever you wanted to, you paint the second eye black too....I painted one eye black on the same day and painted the other one black when I got my first job...:) and thought of my friend back in Tokyo (I had returned to India after finishing my training) I still have it with me and every time I see it, it brings back fond memories...

So for all my friends in Japan, now that you understand what it is all about, the next time you want to wish somebody luck, try giving a Daruma doll as a gift...:) I am sure it will be well appreciated by whosoever receives it...at least when you tell what it is all about.....

Note: The doll has many legends associated with it and I found a very good link that describes the history and significance of the doll in great detail in case you want to read about it more...

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/daruma.shtml#dolls

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