Präriepost
Today from Osaka
October 11, 2017
The sun is bright, here in the land of the rising sun, it is comfortably warm in the city of architecture, night life, and hearty food. The leaves are changing color, slowly but ever more so determined to transform the entire landscape. The local population is getting ready for the annual viewing of the fall colors, the koyo or momijigari. The mountains and the parks will be ablaze with red, yellow, and orange. Nature’s beauty is appreciated, here in the East, everybody feels connected to the land.
In the neighboring thousand-year capital they already celebrate the autumn season. The Jidai matsuri, the festival of the ages, is approaching and people dress in costumes from almost every period of history. There is dance, there are songs, there is food at every corner. The golden season is beginning here, and nowhere is it more apparent than at Kinkaku-ji. The Golden Pavilion dating back to 1397 stands like a glorious jewel at the edge of a lake. Only a poet could have found this place for his residence. The grounds around the building remind us of paradise with a balanced harmony between heaven and earth. “One day, you will go to the pure land,” they say, “one day, for sure.”
Harmony is the key of life here, everybody and everything must strive for harmony. They say, “forget happiness, happiness is only a fleeting goal; harmony brings balance and steadiness.” This tradition is not only grounded in the great teachings of Confucius, it is based in the people’s connectedness to their land, it is grounded in the community where everybody needs to work together to survive. “The peg that stands out, is going to be pounded down,” they say and prefer to keep quiet. “Looking out for yourself is selfish,” they say, “it disregards the world around you.”
A few people of younger generations, however, are trying to stand out. The woman with blond hair stands out. Watch out, your peg will be pounded down. The young man drinking Starbuck’s coffee while walking – watch out, your peg will be pounded down. The young couple holding hands in public – watch out, your peg will be pounded down. The three teenagers eating hamburgers at the riverside – watch out, your peg, it will be pounded down.
It is the land of longevity, here, and perhaps harmony contributes to long life. “We do not eat out of pleasure or happiness,” they say, “we eat so that our body stays in balance.” The principle of harmony with oneself and with the people around may well be one of the keys to survivorship. “Don’t chase happiness,” they say, “recognize it.”
And their national health insurance keeps them healthier and longer alive. Physicians see it as their duty to keep people healthful and flourishing. And the people themselves are committed to their health. They watch health programs, they go to health clubs and they enjoy a regular visit to the local hot spring. “It will take your burden away,” they say, “you will center yourself on the important things in life.”
There are other signs of longevity in this region. They are walking, walking, and walking. Up the stairs, down the stairs, over to the train and back. They are disciplined, conscientious, and agreeable, they are resilient. Everything is done in moderation. And they remember when times were difficult, the war, they remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and now adversary missiles are once again crossing their country. They want peace, only peace in the world and longevity for all.
They do not believe that objects are of any importance, and you will not find many items in people’s houses, they are „just things,“ without real value. “No object can replace relationships,” they say, “objects are only distracting.” They welcome international scholars here, because they build relationships. They listen carefully to everything, they smile, they nod, they appreciate. And they ask questions over dinner: “What is successful aging?” “Is it ethical to end somebody’s life?” “Why are so many people in the United States in nursing homes?” They ask while they eat with you, beef tongue, and intestines, and stomach, and liver, and they are so glad to introduce outsiders to their own special culture. “Kanpai,” they shout, “kanpai,” we love being together.
The people are proud of their parks, the new Osaka Wheel, where they gather for weekend events. They bring tents, they play, they take time off from their daily routine. The tower of the sun stands as their steady guard, with its Golden Mask, its Face of the Sun and the Black Sun. Here, just north of Osaka, people find the Japanese view of nature.
It is a special region, a special culture where everybody looks out for each other. The voices are soft, the resolve, however, is firm. “Come back soon,” they say, here in this big-hearted city where harmony rules over happiness, where people practice moderation, and where longevity is an eternal life style.