Japan

mono no aware

nationality

Japanese

is an emotion arising out of the strong sense of intimacy the Japanese have with nature, on the one hand it involves the awe-inspiring sense that nature is ephemeral, like human beings, and on the other, and on the other hand it involves the equally awe-inspiring sense that nature is renewed, unlike human beings.

It is true that almost all Japanese feel a strong sense of intimacy with the nature of their land. The have preserved a desire to belong to it. Nevertheless, there is distance between nature and human beings. Nature is transitory, like human beings, and this is a moving thought to Japanese people. It demonstrates to them how ephemeral they are. But, nature is periodically renewed, whereas the dead go away for ever. This also touches people's hearts. This feeling or emotion has also been called mono no aware, and it is a basic awareness in the Japanese mind. Only in the belief that they belong to nature and that the dead who become karni or gods belong to nature too may they find solace. With this belief, existence becomes an ambivalent combination of resignation and confidence.

Makoto Mizuta

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Makoto Mizuta