Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder to leave breathing space for ourselves, Kana! I'm thinking of the movement of an active sourdough starter and how there should always be plenty of space within the container so it doesn't burst and overflow; similarly, I'm reminding myself to create space (time) in my own 'jar' of life to grow, rest, and reflect so I can adapt as I need! <3
Oh yaaaaay excited for your sourdough journey (and love the metaphor)!!! A friend taught me to use the discarded sourdough starter to make scallion/green onion pancakes so you don't always need to throw it out! Sending you such a big hug across oceans!
Fascinating! It might take me a while to wrap my head around the meaning of "yutori".
On a different note, everywhere I have lived people have always been less formal and more casual and approachable in the countryside than in big cities. It's interesting to find out that people remain formal in Japan even in villages.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, it’s still definitely more relaxed and casual in the countryside but Japanese culture overall is formal. If you have a chance to travel, you might notice the subtle differences!
Thank you! Yutori is both subtle and profound. Seems a perfect concept to embrace for this year ahead. And it’s likely no 20 year old is ready for yutori. Only when we’ve lived hustle bustle are we ready to notice. Thank you for also sharing with us non-Japanese that to define terms like akigai in English words simply and accurately is almost impossible. It reminds me to take care with my words, and that words alone cannot often describe. Glad to find you today.
Thank you so much for the comment Jeffrey!! Yes, 20 year old me was very stubborn and likely couldn’t appreciate what I appreciate now. Hope the word resonates with you too!
Ah, one day, I can only hope! I've been fascinated with the country for a long time, though, since my youth when I practised aikido and watched Miyazaki films. Even if I get a chance to visit I'll probably get lost in translation.
I have only the slightest connection to Japan but it and its culture have a very special place in my heart. Thank you for expanding that connection with this lovely easy.
I feel privileged to be living this life n reading here written by writers like you and thank you to this new word ... I am manifesting for yutori. 💙💌👏🤗🎊
happy new year, kana! it is always so lovely to read your reflections. yutori is such a beautiful concept - wishing it more into my 2025 as well. this autumn i managed to vist japan fir the first time and i think i might understand what you are writing about just a tiny bit better. warmest regards!
Always a delight to read your beautiful and inspiring writings! I like your explanations on yutori and especially appreciate your point/ hesitation in introducing Japanese term into English for fear of it being taken out of context. Living in Kyoto for close to 3 years now and beginning to learn the language, I do start to see the nuances and deeper layers - one that's not easy to convey, albeit words like ikigai and wabi sabi are being thrown around. I guess it's a positive sign of growing interest as the Japanese brand rises. Wishing you a year full of spaciousness. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words. I enjoy how you brought 72 seasons into the world of tea. Please try some Kamikatsu fermented Awa Bancha tea one day! 🍵
Awesome! I was introduced to awabancha by Obubu Tea Farms. It’s nice, reminding me of obukucha, the ume kombu drink. I will definitely check out Kamikatsu’s ❤️
I love that you're noticing all the little connections among the small, present and big, timeless things. Connection is my word of the year.
Thanks for sharing about Yutori, it is indeed a "deep word", which I need to contemplate a bit more on. But I've resonated immediately with the scene where you stand up there and feel Yutori and connected with nature. I hope to experience this too in my connection year :)
Thank you so much for this beautiful reminder to leave breathing space for ourselves, Kana! I'm thinking of the movement of an active sourdough starter and how there should always be plenty of space within the container so it doesn't burst and overflow; similarly, I'm reminding myself to create space (time) in my own 'jar' of life to grow, rest, and reflect so I can adapt as I need! <3
Oh yaaaaay excited for your sourdough journey (and love the metaphor)!!! A friend taught me to use the discarded sourdough starter to make scallion/green onion pancakes so you don't always need to throw it out! Sending you such a big hug across oceans!
I love your word for the year. It reminds me for sone reason rice fields in Tottoro. And you are there right— more rituals not less.
Thank you so much for your kind comment—I often look at Kamikatsu and imagine myself in the Tottoro film!
Fascinating! It might take me a while to wrap my head around the meaning of "yutori".
On a different note, everywhere I have lived people have always been less formal and more casual and approachable in the countryside than in big cities. It's interesting to find out that people remain formal in Japan even in villages.
Thank you for sharing! Yes, it’s still definitely more relaxed and casual in the countryside but Japanese culture overall is formal. If you have a chance to travel, you might notice the subtle differences!
Thank you! Yutori is both subtle and profound. Seems a perfect concept to embrace for this year ahead. And it’s likely no 20 year old is ready for yutori. Only when we’ve lived hustle bustle are we ready to notice. Thank you for also sharing with us non-Japanese that to define terms like akigai in English words simply and accurately is almost impossible. It reminds me to take care with my words, and that words alone cannot often describe. Glad to find you today.
Thank you so much for the comment Jeffrey!! Yes, 20 year old me was very stubborn and likely couldn’t appreciate what I appreciate now. Hope the word resonates with you too!
Ah, one day, I can only hope! I've been fascinated with the country for a long time, though, since my youth when I practised aikido and watched Miyazaki films. Even if I get a chance to visit I'll probably get lost in translation.
I have only the slightest connection to Japan but it and its culture have a very special place in my heart. Thank you for expanding that connection with this lovely easy.
That's a really beautiful shimekazari!!! Thank you for this writing, and happy new year!
I feel privileged to be living this life n reading here written by writers like you and thank you to this new word ... I am manifesting for yutori. 💙💌👏🤗🎊
Thank you so much Karma for your kind words 💛
Happy New Year have a great one!
happy new year, kana! it is always so lovely to read your reflections. yutori is such a beautiful concept - wishing it more into my 2025 as well. this autumn i managed to vist japan fir the first time and i think i might understand what you are writing about just a tiny bit better. warmest regards!
Oh that’s so wonderful—thank you for sharing! I hope you enjoyed your time in Japan! Have a wonderful new year 🍃
Always a delight to read your beautiful and inspiring writings! I like your explanations on yutori and especially appreciate your point/ hesitation in introducing Japanese term into English for fear of it being taken out of context. Living in Kyoto for close to 3 years now and beginning to learn the language, I do start to see the nuances and deeper layers - one that's not easy to convey, albeit words like ikigai and wabi sabi are being thrown around. I guess it's a positive sign of growing interest as the Japanese brand rises. Wishing you a year full of spaciousness. :)
Thank you so much for your kind words. I enjoy how you brought 72 seasons into the world of tea. Please try some Kamikatsu fermented Awa Bancha tea one day! 🍵
Awesome! I was introduced to awabancha by Obubu Tea Farms. It’s nice, reminding me of obukucha, the ume kombu drink. I will definitely check out Kamikatsu’s ❤️
I love that you're noticing all the little connections among the small, present and big, timeless things. Connection is my word of the year.
Thanks for sharing about Yutori, it is indeed a "deep word", which I need to contemplate a bit more on. But I've resonated immediately with the scene where you stand up there and feel Yutori and connected with nature. I hope to experience this too in my connection year :)
I wish you a year full of Yutori!
Thank you so much Rachel for the beautiful comment. May it be a year of meaningful connection for you!
I love that you have a word for the new year. It seems so much richer, boundless, and full of possibility than a typical new year's intention.
Great detail! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Mark! Happy New Year to you as well!
You as well!! Happy new year 🍃🍵