I'm a german mother, and I sit with my kids every morning at a little bus station. I did that for many weeks with anger about how dirty it is. Full of cigarettes, trash and even dog poo. So I decided, if we sit there everyday and I want to have a clean environment, I do it myself - everyday! I bought a cheap brush and shovel and clean it every morning. It's a little bit embarrassing at first by all the cars driving by and seeing me, but it feels much better to sit in a clean bus station. I wish people would keep it that clean, but there's new trash every day 😏
You are doing a great job and teaching your kids at the same time AND maybe even making the drivers of the passing cars think about their habits. Thank you for making our country a little bit cleaner and tidier. :)
Traditional Navajos believe that if you leave something at home unfinished, it will call you throughout the day and you won't be able to focus . The traditional houses are very small, so they need to be orderly.
I'm an American who grew up in postwar Japan, and now in my 70s that experience has a great impression on my life. Here is how that manifests: I have a little kamidana in my living room, with pictures of my parents. I keep my home and yard tidy and pick up trash when I walk in my neighborhood. I never wear shoes in my house (yuk). Junk food does not interest me, and I eat "well" (cook good food) even though I live alone. I begin every day with a prayer of gratitude. I am punctual, respectful of other people's time. I endeavor to be pleasant and supportive to others. Some of this is due to a military family that moved all the time, but I give great credit to the Japan I spent so many years in. What he is describing is habits of character. You are what you do, and your attitude counts.
You are right I lived in Germany for several years Germans are similar to Japanese now live in California unfortunately can not say the same thing... sad isn't it !
1) Visit your family's graves 2) Picking up the trash (cleaning public areas) 3) Stop eating when you are 80% full 4) Say thank you for the meal / to entrust one's life 5) The power of spoken words 6) Keep things on time 7) Tidiness
@@linseymain254 I wondered about that, as my parents and my siblings who have died were all cremated, my dad's ashes we did bury at a family grave, but it's a long way from where I live now and the others were all scattered in places which were significant. I suppose one could make the effort to visit those places. But I think you can still direct the ideas and prayers he suggests even without going to a grave to do it, perhaps the grave is just a convenient focus.
This is one of the reasons why travelers from the United States are so impressed by Japan. There is respect for the community and the other people who live there. All seven of these habits not only change the life of the individual for the better, but the life of the community for the better. Thank you for sharing.
I'm a student who just started working part-time in the school library. On Saturdays, it's pretty quiet there, and I end up taking pride in keeping everything in the library clean and tidy. I've noticed that in the rest of my life I've started picking up trash and pushing in chairs without even thinking about it, whenever I walk past those things :). [so many chairs! people do group work and they bring over chairs from other tables, and I'll often find a crowd of chairs left out around a table that fits 4 chairs]
1) Take care of the family grave 2) Always take care of you own trash and any other 3) Stop eating when your stomach is 3/4 full 4) Say thank you before eating and show gratitude after eating 5) Be mindful of your words 6) Be punctual 7) Organization and cleanliness are of the utmost importance Sounds like the way I grew up in Germany.
As a German I was always impressed by Japanese culture, history and values. Unfortunately features like punctuality and tidiness get lost more and more in our society these days.. I really hope I can visit Japan one day. Much love from beautiful Bavaria! ✌😊❤
I grew up in western Poland and punctuality is also very much valued there... It surely is hard to adapt in other countries with such mindset! I feel like around the world respecting other people's time is an exception rather than a norm.
I experienced the same. I am a German living in Ireland and I still couldn’t get used to the lack of punctuality and cleanliness here. It’s normal here for people to be late and to litter the streets and beaches.
My mom lived in Okinawa for a year, she was there with my dad who was stationed there. She came back to the states to give birth to me. To this day I practiced some of the habits that she taught me That she learned from Japan!
I absolutely love the Japanese teachings 😊 busy reading the book Itchigo Itchi (doing one thing at a time), and focuses on being present and in the now. Thanks for this video 😊
Thank you for the tips. I just spent the weekend tidying up my apartment and it always amazes me how much more clearly I can think when things are organized. A possible English translation for "toku" might be "merit." I recently came back from a Buddhist meditation retreat, and the teachers (who are American), would end each day instructing us to "gather up the merit of our practice." In other words, we took time to reflect on the good karma accumulated through spending the day meditating and practicing renunciation.
I don't how to describe it but you always give me hope with your videos. I feel so much better and elevated afterwards. Especially the first point you were making about visiting your family's graves touched me deeply. My grandparents and my uncle are gone and I feel grateful and also kind of cleansed whenever I visit their graves. It is a beautiful and silent way to show my love and respect for all they have done and the way they have paved for me. I feel like I could go more often though and thanks to you for making me see that!
My brother lived in Tokyo,with his family, for around 12 years. We are from Sweden and we were always so facinated by how similar our countries are when it comes to habits like this. For instance; if I ever saw trash were I live I would pick it up. Now that very rarely happends as everyone takets care of the trash stright away! ☺️
I clean around where I live too. I have noticed that if you clean up, people tend to throw less trash as well, and I tend to leave the places I have been tidier than when I found them...Well, I am Swiss, and we do that. Very interesting video, thank you.
Nationality or social status does not matter! My grandmother said: being poor is not a defect, but not being clean is. We all have some soap and water. No one needs to throw garbage in the streets. As a child, they told me: we plant a tree so our grandchildren can eat the fruits.
I'm not in good relations with my family and I make a point of not visiting the graves because I find it pointless, I'd rather have memories of them alive and the good times together, the same goes for not having pictures of dead people in my house, and not even alive to be honest. However this point you have made makes me realise that visiting the graves, or thinking of my ancestors daily would reconnect me with death and therefore would help me find the motivation and even more appreciation in my daily life. Also an excellent point is to think of all the hardship they endured and how my life is wealthy compared to theirs! Gratitude soaring by 1000%! And gratitude is key for attracting even more abundance!
I love the last one about tidyness not only in your home ❤ we in poland have been using Japanesse 5S method in lots of companies, especially production and it make a lot of difference. Imagine that You work in some place after somebody who left mess in the work place - You cant find tools so You waste Your time on finding and tidying afrer somebody. If everybody keep place tidy and organized You work will be faster and more efficent. It is the same with home ❤
When I travel to Japan, my mentor teach me how to thank for the food by saying the following, I have translated that into Chinese to show my friends, and we say this each time before we eat. 😊 飯前偈(日文版) 一粒の米にも万人の労苦を思い。一滴の水にも天地の恩徳を感じ感謝して頂きます☺️ 日文拼音 Hitotsubu no Amerika ni mo ban'nin no rōku o omoi. Itteki no mizu ni mo tenchi no ondoku o kanji kansha shite itadakimasu ☺ ️ 中文解釋 即使是一粒米，也需要許多人的勞動。即使是一滴水，也要感受並感恩天地的恩惠。
The Japanese dicipline and self discipline are amazing, there has never been a problem with wearing masks, because the Japanese already know to wear a mask to protect themselves and others.... thank you for sharing the principals with us, itadakimas!
I always talk to my plants and everyone thinks I have quite the green thumb. Actually I just speak loving kindness to them. As a child I was very tidy by nature and even would struggle in a messy environment (my sisters room LOL)...I will add the 80% full rule. Love your videos. Have been attracted to the Jaanese culture and way of life since the 1964 World's Fair when I visited the Japanese Tea House. Thanks for these videos.
This is the 2nd time today I hear about the 80% eating habit. They had a TV show about longevity in Japan. Gladly we already practice it.-We are always a bit too early, German habit my husband American) adjusted to. Our house is organized chaotic crossover style, works great and is very cozy and comfortable for our life style.-- Thank you for your advice!
My practice is always to say, "thankyou for making dinner," to whoever prepared it. That's probably because it's usually me and I'm hoping they'll say it to me! I do emphasise promptness and tidiness in my home with my children. "On time is five minutes early," and "a place for everything, and everything in its place." I got those two from the army, though. They make life a lot easier. Being Jewish, we also have shabbat, a day of rest once a week. And the greeting is "shabbat shalom" - the peace of shabbat on you. During this I don't let anyone in the house raise their voice, I just put my hand on theirs and say, "shalom" - peace - and they remember. And at dinner we each answer, "What are you happy about or grateful for this week?" Having a day a week where ynou really restrain everything negative and focus on good things makes the rest of the week better, too.
We in Australia would do well to live life the way you do. The streets are cleaned by Council workers. There are rubbish bins, some paired for land fill and other for recycling. But there's a lot of stuff thrown on the ground sadly. I pick up rubbish when possible even during Covid. I am always grateful for food. Thank you for your videos.
I keep my home tidy and clean. It's my sanctuary. I live in a community where everyone takes time to keep it clean. It has recently been considered a certified forrest.😊
Great overview as always! My mother encouraged me to practice most of these as well. When I lived and worked at an Oregon retreat center in the 90s, we had a linen service for the massage linens, roller towels, and sheets for the guest cabins. A fellow massage therapist encouraged us to nearly refold and stack the sheets the same way in each room. He also observed how to place one on the massage table in the most efficient way, so it unfolded without extra turns! All staff worked to keep our public spaces tidy, and our guests generally did as well, including neatly stacking out for chairs and pillows on the big meeting rooms!
Hello from the Uk 😊 myself and my son regularly litter pick our local area, we like looking after the natural environment and think its important to live in a clean area that looks nice and helps wildlife flourish without rubbish polluting the land and streams .
It seems that I am on the right path. Trash picking is a daily choir for me. Fullfilling to do it. And I do love the concept of Baton of Life. Humbling! And after watching your video I feel that I am on the right path. 💖
I have been living in Japan since 1985 and I am sorry to say that the habit of picking up trash is not something that was handed down from one generation to the next. I have seen with my own eye and know from experiences through volunteer activities with my "tonari-gumi" that heaps of trash used to be discarded along roads and in public areas. Over the years this attitude has changed, though, and it is indeed impressive to see that most Japanese have not only become environmentally conscious but actually put in the effort to turn things around.
True, Japan had a serious littering problem in the 70s. And most towns had an illegal dump where people would throw out their old appliances and furniture because they didn't want to pay for a dump. They would even leave old cars and motorcycles there. Japan has cleaned up a lot.
I’ve always been very drawn to the peacefulness of the Japanese culture. I think it must be a natural byproduct of the gratitude, reverence and respect the Japanese have for everything. In the US, we are definitely missing these ancient connections and concepts. Thanks for sharing.
I was literally thinking about your previous video, two days ago and ordered matcha. I planned to spend October, following the habits, in the previous video but couldn’t remember where to find it. Then I’m sitting here, at midnight and I get the notification, that you’ve just uploaded this. Thank you.
I loved your previous japanese habit video and I loved this one too. I personally practice picking up the trash everyday and everywhere. Always love your positivity!
I don’t know where most of my family’s graves are, unfortunately. But I have the ashes of my mother and father (who were too poor to afford a cemetery plot) on my mantle. I visit them often. They really did sacrifice a lot for me, my dad in particular. In fact, the last conversation we had before he died, he told me he wanted me to learn self-defense. He was so worried about leaving me, a single woman, all alone in life. That was really his dying wish for me, that I learn to protect myself. I need to think about that more seriously.
Oh wow I just love the fact that it's a habit to pick up the trash. I think you have a beautiful culture where people also think more about ehe community. Here in France, I often pick up the trash and my friends are amused but they tend to do it more after watching me do it ;) I just loved your video, I watch every one of them !
My fam has Slavic background, we were taught to clean up after ourselves & pick up rubbish. We also return shopping trolleys/carts to the store/return bay. And will tidy community or neighbouring gardens, pathways or pull out weeds in paths etc..
So nice to see you back, Samurai Matcha. I liked this video very much. My brother arrived today to Japan to visit it, he will travel several cities, I wish he has a great time!
Thank you for this video! I loved the first video made on the same topic. And I think this newer one is a great addition to cultivating habits which may lead to little by little improving the quality of ones life. :)
Although I am not Buddhist, I do agree with the importance of keeping memory of your past family members. As a Catholic I often pray for them, asking God to keep them in His Company. I try to visit and tend their graves on the Day of the Dead, and pray for their peaceful repose and that they might always be with God and His angels and saints. Lighting candles in their honor, and always keeping pictures of them in my house help me to always be mindful of the many sacrifices and acts of love that they did on our behalf, while they were alive here on Earth. Even on a day to day basis, whenever something randomly occurs during the day that reminds me of them, I always pray and ask God to bless their souls. It’s cool to see this similarity exists in Japan and in a completely different religion than Christianity.
Aki, you are always such an inspiration. I'm busy sorting out my house and selling, or donating unwanted items. But, I have a very long way to catch up with you!
Whenever we visit my father he likes to take us to “see where our people are” as he puts it. We call it the cemetery run. I love going to all the graveyards where my ancestors are buried. We have done this since I was a child. I also am a trash picker upper! I would come back from a walk on the beach when we lived on Guam with two hands full of bottle caps. I like to tidy up the trash on my table before leaving a restaurant and always push in my chair. It bothers me when someone comes to my house and leaves the chair pushed back from the table too. Ha. I think because I grew up in a large family in a small house my mother was strict about neatness. Making the bed every morning was also important. I still cannot leave my bed unmade and if I get nothing else done that day at least I got the bed made! 😊
The first thing you do in the morning is make your bed! It sets the tone for the whole day. Also, I was brought up that our mother was not our maid, to leave work for her was disrespectful and lazy.
I agree Aki. What an intricate video. I say the meal blessings when I feed the cats… and then myself . Now for at least a year. I find saying gochisou sama at completion… has my body feel at peace and grateful for all involved in allowing me to have nourishment. It’s a beautiful feeling. And who wouldn’t want to align to beauty. Thank you for your work.
Some things I already try to implement in my life, picking up trash, I do it mostly when in the country side or a place where humans should not leave a trace like on a hike, or at the sea, I will try to do it more in the city from now on.
I just enjoy your videos Samurai Matcha and learn a lot from them. Actually, overtime throughout many years I've been applying your culture's customes without knowing that Japanese people also use them. Bless your nation Samurai!!!!
Thank you so much for this enlightening information! I am still thinking about Gochiso-sama and will try to practice this from now on. It is very powerful to thank the food (and each ingredient) for entrusting me with its life. The other habits are helpful too!
Hello, i have just subscribed to your channel and found your video about japanese habits most interesting. I love to be tidy! I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights! They are very helpful! I also LOVE the way you dress. Can you please give us some information about how your clothing items are named and where they could be ordered? I would love to dress in such wonderful cloths. Thank you!
Hello, Aki! Thank you for such a interesting video. Some of the things you speak about and explain, I already do on a daily basis, for instance cleaning litter, visiting the graves and be tidy and organized in my house. I'm going to try eating until 80% full. For me this habits are a great way to feel better with myself! Thank you, again, for your today's lesson. Stay safe and have a nice Sunday!
Wow I've never heard of the other meaning of gochisousama! Super interesting! Will keep this in mind when finishing eating. Thank you for this amazing video :)
To point #2: The way Japan handles trash is fascinating to me. I just visited the country, and was surprised that there are almost no public trash bins at all. I would have assumed that this would lead to more people littering in the streets, but not at all--it's the cleanest place I've ever seen. I guess it just makes people more conscious about how they will dispose of things when out in public?
Hey Aki! Lovely video and in general, i love everything about your channel! *Question:* Would u consider making a video, about how you practice different Buddhist and asian philosophies, such as Taoism from Lao Tzu and Confucionism from Confucious. Both as a minimalist when you travel and when you are at home. Also, how you use it as a school teacher? Personally i would love to hear your approach to this :)
Thank you for another one of these, its incredible how much the last habits video helped me with daily peace of mind. Looking forward to trying these ones out as well.
My son and I are interested in moving to Japan. The more I watch, the more Japanese culture seems a perfect fit for me and the qualities I wish to instil in him. Maybe I was Japanese in my past life.
Strangley enough as I got more into the Japanese sword and cardio trying to become better for the blade. I suddenly found myself not too long after that picking up pieces of trash on my runs and putting them in my pockets, even brought a bag with me at points. I guess even when the Japanese lifestyle is applied at all then it’s just inhabits its own way of processing. Glad it’s making me a better person
I like these habits!! I'll try to implement them!! Also Aki, do you have any tips after coming back from work for not being tired and able to do all those house chores and to do a personal project?? For example, I'm writing a book but I feel so exhausted that I can't even type or even take care of my house... so yeah just imagine what's happening to my house lol. It's such a mess. I live in a big spacious house but an old one, it's my mother house. But spacious. And old. I'm so tired cleaning them every single time. The clutter always gets me every time. It took me 4 hours of total. I want to be a minimalist too because I like how simple they are and you makes me want to be a minimalist. But yeah, to my situation do you have any advice or tips?? I would really appreciate it ^^
I'm also very tired after work and commuting. Waking up early and cleaning house and working for myself first worked a lot better than trying to do for myself with whatever leftover reserves I had at the end of the day (which were none). In other words, prioritize your own goals and needs first and spend the most energetic part of your day on you. (This worked well for me except that I'm not naturally a morning person, so making myself wake up early--and especially go to bed early--was a constant fight that got harder over time, rather than easier, so your mileage may vary.) I'm on a sabbatical year off from work right now. I have found that 15 minutes per day of cleaning upstairs and another 15 minutes downstairs, 6 days per week, is enough to keep my house company ready at pretty much all times. (Doing dishes daily is separate from this, but doing the laundry twice a week and putting it away is included in this 15 minutes.) And, really, I don't use my downstairs much (it's a finished basement), so once I finish getting it organized and cleaned, it shouldn't even need 15 minutes per day; probably more like 5 minutes to just keep the spiders beat back and take out the trash occasionally. If, like me, you're a single person in a larger home, there are probably rooms in your house that you don't use much, so they will not need that much cleaning. If your rooms are quite messy, 15 minutes will not feel like enough, but if you consistently do 15 minutes per week, in just a few weeks, you will be looking around for things to do and dusting baseboards and ceiling fans and washing windows. Just keep at it and it will eventually get caught up, and then you won't need even the 15 minutes most weeks. Also, as a long-term goal, consider a different job. If you're consistently that tired when you get home, you're probably working a job you don't like very well or that's not fulfilling, and it's sucking the energy and life force out of you. A job that makes you feel good when you're doing it shouldn't leave you exhausted every single day--at least not so tired you can't sit down and write. And it may not be your job, but an excessively-long commute. So you may need to consider a similar job closer to home, or asking to telecommute a day or two per week to save the commute. (I'm assuming since you're in a family home, selling it is out of the question.)
@@kerim.peardon5551 Thank you so much!!! THIS is a good one!!! I will put this on practise!!! And yeah my job is making me so tired. I do consider changing my job. Again, thank you so much!!!❤✨
The clutter is weighing you down. Start purging, one bookcase or cabinet or room at a time. Once you get a house cleaned out and simplified, you don't have to spend so much time "cleaning" because you don't have so much stuff in your way. Give yourself rules that work for you, for instance, the rule for paper: act on it, file it, or toss it, immediately. No paper piles allowed. I'm a student, which involves a lot of paper and books - they are all on one table, not allowed to "migrate." You have to figure out a routine that works for you. Goodwill is waiting ...
I actually pick the trash a few times in the United States, though for me it is because I want to keep the environment clean, and if someone sees me doing it, maybe others will do the same xD
You are just the best! So glad to discover you (and subscribe) on the 2nd to the last day of 2023 thereby ensuring that 2024 will be more peaceful, fulfilling and tidy. Thank you for all the positive energy you share. Your smile makes me smile.
こんにちは Aki, I love your Channel. I'm originally from Germany but live in the US. I'm very in love with Japanese Culture and Lifestyle. I have a question, what religion or way of life is mostly common in japan these days and what do you believe in? If you don't mind asking.
Привет, спасибо за ваш труд. Вы помогли мне по-новому взглянуть на свою жизнь. Также спасибо вам за ваш оптимизм , потому что вы заряжаете меня энергией начать что-то менять. После ваших видео я выбросила и отдала не нужные вещи и начала ценить то, что у меня уже есть. В России мы не сортируем мусор, и на улице очень грязно - повсюду целлофан. Хуже всего то, что люди с презрением относятся уборщикам. Но теперь мне не будет страшно убираться на улице. Правда лучше я буду делать это в перчатках хахаха
I used to visit cemeteries just to look but I found out that every time I did that, someone close to me would die - coincidence? Anyway, I only go if I want to honor a person I was close to who is buried there.
That is amazing video. I like the way you explain and emotion. These content are very reality and practical. Some examples are inserted carefully. Furthermore, i always admire your pronunciation like native people. Love your life with lovely content. Keep moving bro!❤
Beautiful! You do live a wonderful life. I pickup plastic bags whenever I can. I'm afraid they will blow into Lake Michigan. I also keep some of them for daily trash at home. Bright blessings to you and your family from Chicago, USA.
❤ you're so wise and pure 🙏 I'm so grateful for you and your content... and eventhough I'm Swiss living in Germany I discover some ''so japanese'' behaviour on myself, it makes me grateful and glad 🤗
I'm a german mother, and I sit with my kids every morning at a little bus station. I did that for many weeks with anger about how dirty it is. Full of cigarettes, trash and even dog poo. So I decided, if we sit there everyday and I want to have a clean environment, I do it myself - everyday! I bought a cheap brush and shovel and clean it every morning. It's a little bit embarrassing at first by all the cars driving by and seeing me, but it feels much better to sit in a clean bus station. I wish people would keep it that clean, but there's new trash every day 😏
You are doing a great job and teaching your kids at the same time AND maybe even making the drivers of the passing cars think about their habits. Thank you for making our country a little bit cleaner and tidier. :)
Danke dir🎉
Find ich voll gut!
❤ u r a gem lady.
Vielen dank!
Traditional Navajos believe that if you leave something at home unfinished, it will call you throughout the day and you won't be able to focus . The traditional houses are very small, so they need to be orderly.
I'm an American who grew up in postwar Japan, and now in my 70s that experience has a great impression on my life. Here is how that manifests: I have a little kamidana in my living room, with pictures of my parents. I keep my home and yard tidy and pick up trash when I walk in my neighborhood. I never wear shoes in my house (yuk). Junk food does not interest me, and I eat "well" (cook good food) even though I live alone. I begin every day with a prayer of gratitude. I am punctual, respectful of other people's time. I endeavor to be pleasant and supportive to others. Some of this is due to a military family that moved all the time, but I give great credit to the Japan I spent so many years in. What he is describing is habits of character. You are what you do, and your attitude counts.
So true. Character is destiny!
Great
You are right I lived in Germany for several years Germans are similar to Japanese now live in California unfortunately can not say the same thing... sad isn't it !
1) Visit your family's graves
2) Picking up the trash (cleaning public areas)
3) Stop eating when you are 80% full
4) Say thank you for the meal / to entrust one's life
5) The power of spoken words
6) Keep things on time
7) Tidiness
What if the family have been cremated!
What an excellent culture?Wish the world can learn from Japanese....
@@linseymain254 I wondered about that, as my parents and my siblings who have died were all cremated, my dad's ashes we did bury at a family grave, but it's a long way from where I live now and the others were all scattered in places which were significant. I suppose one could make the effort to visit those places. But I think you can still direct the ideas and prayers he suggests even without going to a grave to do it, perhaps the grave is just a convenient focus.
@@linseymain254what do you do with the ashes?
Oh good, now I do not need to watch the video
It is nice when you stop saying hurtful words to others, but you should as well stop saying those words to yourself❤️
This is one of the reasons why travelers from the United States are so impressed by Japan. There is respect for the community and the other people who live there. All seven of these habits not only change the life of the individual for the better, but the life of the community for the better. Thank you for sharing.
I'm a student who just started working part-time in the school library. On Saturdays, it's pretty quiet there, and I end up taking pride in keeping everything in the library clean and tidy. I've noticed that in the rest of my life I've started picking up trash and pushing in chairs without even thinking about it, whenever I walk past those things :). [so many chairs! people do group work and they bring over chairs from other tables, and I'll often find a crowd of chairs left out around a table that fits 4 chairs]
1) Take care of the family grave
2) Always take care of you own trash and any other
3) Stop eating when your stomach is 3/4 full
4) Say thank you before eating and show gratitude after eating
5) Be mindful of your words
6) Be punctual
7) Organization and cleanliness are of the utmost importance
Sounds like the way I grew up in Germany.
Gratitude brings positive blessings!
As a German I was always impressed by Japanese culture, history and values. Unfortunately features like punctuality and tidiness get lost more and more in our society these days.. I really hope I can visit Japan one day. Much love from beautiful Bavaria! ✌😊❤
I grew up in western Poland and punctuality is also very much valued there... It surely is hard to adapt in other countries with such mindset! I feel like around the world respecting other people's time is an exception rather than a norm.
too many rules, good luck. I would hang myself also
I experienced the same. I am a German living in Ireland and I still couldn’t get used to the lack of punctuality and cleanliness here. It’s normal here for people to be late and to litter the streets and beaches.
@@ich8159 I live in Ireland as well. People here have no respect for each other, makes my blood boil.
Herzliche Gruesse nach Bayern.
My mom lived in Okinawa for a year, she was there with my dad who was stationed there. She came back to the states to give birth to me. To this day I practiced some of the habits that she taught me That she learned from Japan!
I truly love Japanese cleanliness …imagine if it’s was the case everywhere in this world
Imagine a Japanese in Berlin - he never would come back to Berlin.....
Alas, I was very disheartened to learn our local recycle center no longer accepts plastic bottles. Recycling is part of keeping things clean
This is why Japan is beautiful and always neat and tidy everywhere .
I absolutely love the Japanese teachings 😊 busy reading the book Itchigo Itchi (doing one thing at a time), and focuses on being present and in the now. Thanks for this video 😊
I find your videos are so therapeutic! Keep them coming and all the best.. 🙏🙏🙏
Many thanks for your videos, your happy delivery makes your messages highly enjoyable. The few minutes I spend with you lift my spirits.
Thank you for the tips. I just spent the weekend tidying up my apartment and it always amazes me how much more clearly I can think when things are organized.
A possible English translation for "toku" might be "merit." I recently came back from a Buddhist meditation retreat, and the teachers (who are American), would end each day instructing us to "gather up the merit of our practice." In other words, we took time to reflect on the good karma accumulated through spending the day meditating and practicing renunciation.
I don't how to describe it but you always give me hope with your videos. I feel so much better and elevated afterwards. Especially the first point you were making about visiting your family's graves touched me deeply. My grandparents and my uncle are gone and I feel grateful and also kind of cleansed whenever I visit their graves. It is a beautiful and silent way to show my love and respect for all they have done and the way they have paved for me. I feel like I could go more often though and thanks to you for making me see that!
My brother lived in Tokyo,with his family, for around 12 years. We are from Sweden and we were always so facinated by how similar our countries are when it comes to habits like this. For instance; if I ever saw trash were I live I would pick it up. Now that very rarely happends as everyone takets care of the trash stright away! ☺️
I am a Dane, and I agree. There are a lot of similarities in the simplicity of surroundings and mindset
That good to know:) I want to learn about the habit in Sweden!
@@SIC647⚘
@@SamuraiMatcha We are at least two that can tell you more about both Danish and Swedish ways.
Unfortunately, I can't agree your opinion....Sweden seemed to me so dirty (especially Gotheborg)
Love the respectful and considerate Japanese culture. I wish everywhere was like this. I really like your videos, your energy, and your smile! 😁
Your english gets so much better with each video. Good job! ❤
I clean around where I live too. I have noticed that if you clean up, people tend to throw less trash as well, and I tend to leave the places I have been tidier than when I found them...Well, I am Swiss, and we do that. Very interesting video, thank you.
Nationality or social status does not matter! My grandmother said: being poor is not a defect, but not being clean is. We all have some soap and water. No one needs to throw garbage in the streets. As a child, they told me: we plant a tree so our grandchildren can eat the fruits.
My dad always said a bar of soap is pretty cheap and a house where people don’t have a lot of money doesn’t need to dirty and messy
I'm not in good relations with my family and I make a point of not visiting the graves because I find it pointless, I'd rather have memories of them alive and the good times together, the same goes for not having pictures of dead people in my house, and not even alive to be honest.
However this point you have made makes me realise that visiting the graves, or thinking of my ancestors daily would reconnect me with death and therefore would help me find the motivation and even more appreciation in my daily life.
Also an excellent point is to think of all the hardship they endured and how my life is wealthy compared to theirs! Gratitude soaring by 1000%! And gratitude is key for attracting even more abundance!
I love the last one about tidyness not only in your home ❤ we in poland have been using Japanesse 5S method in lots of companies, especially production and it make a lot of difference. Imagine that You work in some place after somebody who left mess in the work place - You cant find tools so You waste Your time on finding and tidying afrer somebody. If everybody keep place tidy and organized You work will be faster and more efficent. It is the same with home ❤
When I travel to Japan, my mentor teach me how to thank for the food by saying the following, I have translated that into Chinese to show my friends, and we say this each time before we eat. 😊
飯前偈(日文版)
一粒の米にも万人の労苦を思い。一滴の水にも天地の恩徳を感じ感謝して頂きます☺️
日文拼音
Hitotsubu no Amerika ni mo ban'nin no rōku o omoi. Itteki no mizu ni mo tenchi no ondoku o kanji kansha shite itadakimasu ☺ ️
中文解釋
即使是一粒米，也需要許多人的勞動。即使是一滴水，也要感受並感恩天地的恩惠。
The Japanese dicipline and self discipline are amazing, there has never been a problem with wearing masks, because the Japanese already know to wear a mask to protect themselves and others.... thank you for sharing the principals with us, itadakimas!
My father lived in Japan and taught us much of the respect and manners that Americans completely lack. Thank you for reminding us.
No. Not completely. It depends on where you live and how you were brought up in this diverse and vast country.
For example, In my daughters public u, It is normal for everyone to talk to and greet others and to open doors for anyone.
Sadly Americans stick out like a sore thumb in other countries 😌
I always talk to my plants and everyone thinks I have quite the green thumb. Actually I just speak loving kindness to them. As a child I was very tidy by nature and even would struggle in a messy environment (my sisters room LOL)...I will add the 80% full rule. Love your videos. Have been attracted to the Jaanese culture and way of life since the 1964 World's Fair when I visited the Japanese Tea House. Thanks for these videos.
Huh??? What does this have to do with the video or my post? Please do not proselytize to me...not interested@@faith9505
This is the 2nd time today I hear about the 80% eating habit. They had a TV show about longevity in Japan. Gladly we already practice it.-We are always a bit too early, German habit my husband American) adjusted to. Our house is organized chaotic crossover style, works great and is very cozy and comfortable for our life style.-- Thank you for your advice!
That's nice:) 2nd time:)
I heave heard a variation of that, that I believe is of Indian origin:
"Don't stop eating when you are full. Stop when you are no longer hungry"
Love this, I just love and respect your culture so much! Adapting more of these habits to my life ❤
My practice is always to say, "thankyou for making dinner," to whoever prepared it. That's probably because it's usually me and I'm hoping they'll say it to me!
I do emphasise promptness and tidiness in my home with my children. "On time is five minutes early," and "a place for everything, and everything in its place." I got those two from the army, though. They make life a lot easier.
Being Jewish, we also have shabbat, a day of rest once a week. And the greeting is "shabbat shalom" - the peace of shabbat on you. During this I don't let anyone in the house raise their voice, I just put my hand on theirs and say, "shalom" - peace - and they remember. And at dinner we each answer, "What are you happy about or grateful for this week?" Having a day a week where ynou really restrain everything negative and focus on good things makes the rest of the week better, too.
We in Australia would do well to live life the way you do. The streets are cleaned by Council workers. There are rubbish bins, some paired for land fill and other for recycling. But there's a lot of stuff thrown on the ground sadly. I pick up rubbish when possible even during Covid. I am always grateful for food. Thank you for your videos.
Down sizing has been happening this year for me
I'm enjoying the openness of space
Not so empty, you have echos
Thank you for sharing this 😊
I keep my home tidy and clean. It's my sanctuary. I live in a community where everyone takes time to keep it clean. It has recently been considered a certified forrest.😊
Great overview as always! My mother encouraged me to practice most of these as well.
When I lived and worked at an Oregon retreat center in the 90s, we had a linen service for the massage linens, roller towels, and sheets for the guest cabins.
A fellow massage therapist encouraged us to nearly refold and stack the sheets the same way in each room. He also observed how to place one on the massage table in the most efficient way, so it unfolded without extra turns!
All staff worked to keep our public spaces tidy, and our guests generally did as well, including neatly stacking out for chairs and pillows on the big meeting rooms!
Hello from the Uk 😊 myself and my son regularly litter pick our local area, we like looking after the natural environment and think its important to live in a clean area that looks nice and helps wildlife flourish without rubbish polluting the land and streams .
You are raising your son well!
It seems that I am on the right path. Trash picking is a daily choir for me. Fullfilling to do it.
And I do love the concept of Baton of Life. Humbling!
And after watching your video I feel that I am on the right path. 💖
I totally agree with everything you said. I am very conscious about being tidy, it clears my mind & anxiety.
My mother was Swedish and we also had to go to the person who made the food and say Thankyou after each meal like you.
I have been living in Japan since 1985 and I am sorry to say that the habit of picking up trash is not something that was handed down from one generation to the next. I have seen with my own eye and know from experiences through volunteer activities with my "tonari-gumi" that heaps of trash used to be discarded along roads and in public areas. Over the years this attitude has changed, though, and it is indeed impressive to see that most Japanese have not only become environmentally conscious but actually put in the effort to turn things around.
True, Japan had a serious littering problem in the 70s. And most towns had an illegal dump where people would throw out their old appliances and furniture because they didn't want to pay for a dump. They would even leave old cars and motorcycles there. Japan has cleaned up a lot.
Thank you for this content and the principles discussed. I agree and think these practices can make our world a more loving, beautiful place 🙏🏽
Absolutely!
I’ve always been very drawn to the peacefulness of the Japanese culture. I think it must be a natural byproduct of the gratitude, reverence and respect the Japanese have for everything. In the US, we are definitely missing these ancient connections and concepts. Thanks for sharing.
I was literally thinking about your previous video, two days ago and ordered matcha. I planned to spend October, following the habits, in the previous video but couldn’t remember where to find it. Then I’m sitting here, at midnight and I get the notification, that you’ve just uploaded this. Thank you.
Great video. I have started drinking matcha instead of coffee inspired by your work. Keep up the great content 👏 👌 greetings from Austria 🇦🇹
I loved your previous japanese habit video and I loved this one too. I personally practice picking up the trash everyday and everywhere. Always love your positivity!
I do as well when I do my morning walk, I have always wondered why do I do this, now I know
I don’t know where most of my family’s graves are, unfortunately. But I have the ashes of my mother and father (who were too poor to afford a cemetery plot) on my mantle. I visit them often. They really did sacrifice a lot for me, my dad in particular.
In fact, the last conversation we had before he died, he told me he wanted me to learn self-defense. He was so worried about leaving me, a single woman, all alone in life. That was really his dying wish for me, that I learn to protect myself. I need to think about that more seriously.
Oh wow I just love the fact that it's a habit to pick up the trash. I think you have a beautiful culture where people also think more about ehe community. Here in France, I often pick up the trash and my friends are amused but they tend to do it more after watching me do it ;)
I just loved your video, I watch every one of them !
My fam has Slavic background, we were taught to clean up after ourselves & pick up rubbish.
We also return shopping trolleys/carts to the store/return bay.
And will tidy community or neighbouring gardens, pathways or pull out weeds in paths etc..
So nice to see you back, Samurai Matcha. I liked this video very much.
My brother arrived today to Japan to visit it, he will travel several cities, I wish he has a great time!
Thank you Aki for sharing these 7 Japannese habits with us...
Totally enjoyed it....
Makes alot of sense 👌 👏
Greetings from South Africa 🇿🇦
Thank you for this video! I loved the first video made on the same topic. And I think this newer one is a great addition to cultivating habits which may lead to little by little improving the quality of ones life. :)
Although I am not Buddhist, I do agree with the importance of keeping memory of your past family members. As a Catholic I often pray for them, asking God to keep them in His Company. I try to visit and tend their graves on the Day of the Dead, and pray for their peaceful repose and that they might always be with God and His angels and saints. Lighting candles in their honor, and always keeping pictures of them in my house help me to always be mindful of the many sacrifices and acts of love that they did on our behalf, while they were alive here on Earth. Even on a day to day basis, whenever something randomly occurs during the day that reminds me of them, I always pray and ask God to bless their souls.
It’s cool to see this similarity exists in Japan and in a completely different religion than Christianity.
Just finished the Blue Zone Series and this is right in line with peoples around the planet who live long and well-- Thank you so much!!
Aki, you are always such an inspiration. I'm busy sorting out my house and selling, or donating unwanted items. But, I have a very long way to catch up with you!
Thank you for always watching my video:)
I incorporate dropping of things I no longer need that are in good condition to my local charity shop on my daily walk. Slowly clearing my home.
Thank you for this inspirational video! Good start of my day! Greetings from the Netherlands.
Whenever we visit my father he likes to take us to “see where our people are” as he puts it. We call it the cemetery run. I love going to all the graveyards where my ancestors are buried. We have done this since I was a child. I also am a trash picker upper! I would come back from a walk on the beach when we lived on Guam with two hands full of bottle caps. I like to tidy up the trash on my table before leaving a restaurant and always push in my chair. It bothers me when someone comes to my house and leaves the chair pushed back from the table too. Ha. I think because I grew up in a large family in a small house my mother was strict about neatness. Making the bed every morning was also important. I still cannot leave my bed unmade and if I get nothing else done that day at least I got the bed made! 😊
The first thing you do in the morning is make your bed! It sets the tone for the whole day. Also, I was brought up that our mother was not our maid, to leave work for her was disrespectful and lazy.
I agree Aki. What an intricate video. I say the meal blessings when I feed the cats… and then myself . Now for at least a year. I find saying gochisou sama at completion… has my body feel at peace and grateful for all involved in allowing me to have nourishment. It’s a beautiful feeling. And who wouldn’t want to align to beauty. Thank you for your work.
Some things I already try to implement in my life, picking up trash, I do it mostly when in the country side or a place where humans should not leave a trace like on a hike, or at the sea, I will try to do it more in the city from now on.
I just enjoy your videos Samurai Matcha and learn a lot from them. Actually, overtime throughout many years I've been applying your culture's customes without knowing that Japanese people also use them. Bless your nation Samurai!!!!
Good advice. When I go for a walk, I pick up litter too!😊
Thank you for all your effort of making these videos full of good advice. Gives me motivation to simplify my life
Thank you so much for this enlightening information! I am still thinking about Gochiso-sama and will try to practice this from now on. It is very powerful to thank the food (and each ingredient) for entrusting me with its life. The other habits are helpful too!
Hello, i have just subscribed to your channel and found your video about japanese habits most interesting. I love to be tidy! I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights! They are very helpful! I also LOVE the way you dress. Can you please give us some information about how your clothing items are named and where they could be ordered? I would love to dress in such wonderful cloths. Thank you!
Hello, Aki! Thank you for such a interesting video. Some of the things you speak about and explain, I already do on a daily basis, for instance cleaning litter, visiting the graves and be tidy and organized in my house. I'm going to try eating until 80% full. For me this habits are a great way to feel better with myself! Thank you, again, for your today's lesson. Stay safe and have a nice Sunday!
Wow I've never heard of the other meaning of gochisousama! Super interesting! Will keep this in mind when finishing eating. Thank you for this amazing video :)
To point #2: The way Japan handles trash is fascinating to me. I just visited the country, and was surprised that there are almost no public trash bins at all. I would have assumed that this would lead to more people littering in the streets, but not at all--it's the cleanest place I've ever seen. I guess it just makes people more conscious about how they will dispose of things when out in public?
🤧😔💙... I used to be tidy and organize, but end up feeling it as exagerated,so, been loosing it lately... thanks for re/calling me out. 😇
Hey Aki! Lovely video and in general, i love everything about your channel!
*Question:* Would u consider making a video, about how you practice different Buddhist and asian philosophies, such as Taoism from Lao Tzu and Confucionism from Confucious. Both as a minimalist when you travel and when you are at home. Also, how you use it as a school teacher? Personally i would love to hear your approach to this :)
Thank you for showing the before and after re tidyness. I'm still very much in the before stage but slowly making progress.
Fantastic! Thank you for sharing these tips. I love all of them! 🙂❤
Thank you very much for this wonderful video. I like learning about Japanese culture and habits!
Thank you for another one of these, its incredible how much the last habits video helped me with daily peace of mind. Looking forward to trying these ones out as well.
My son and I are interested in moving to Japan. The more I watch, the more Japanese culture seems a perfect fit for me and the qualities I wish to instil in him. Maybe I was Japanese in my past life.
Strangley enough as I got more into the Japanese sword and cardio trying to become better for the blade. I suddenly found myself not too long after that picking up pieces of trash on my runs and putting them in my pockets, even brought a bag with me at points. I guess even when the Japanese lifestyle is applied at all then it’s just inhabits its own way of processing. Glad it’s making me a better person
Wow - you have come so far on your influencer journey. This is so good - well done!
I like these habits!! I'll try to implement them!! Also Aki, do you have any tips after coming back from work for not being tired and able to do all those house chores and to do a personal project?? For example, I'm writing a book but I feel so exhausted that I can't even type or even take care of my house... so yeah just imagine what's happening to my house lol. It's such a mess. I live in a big spacious house but an old one, it's my mother house. But spacious. And old. I'm so tired cleaning them every single time. The clutter always gets me every time. It took me 4 hours of total. I want to be a minimalist too because I like how simple they are and you makes me want to be a minimalist. But yeah, to my situation do you have any advice or tips?? I would really appreciate it ^^
I'm also very tired after work and commuting. Waking up early and cleaning house and working for myself first worked a lot better than trying to do for myself with whatever leftover reserves I had at the end of the day (which were none). In other words, prioritize your own goals and needs first and spend the most energetic part of your day on you.
(This worked well for me except that I'm not naturally a morning person, so making myself wake up early--and especially go to bed early--was a constant fight that got harder over time, rather than easier, so your mileage may vary.)
I'm on a sabbatical year off from work right now. I have found that 15 minutes per day of cleaning upstairs and another 15 minutes downstairs, 6 days per week, is enough to keep my house company ready at pretty much all times. (Doing dishes daily is separate from this, but doing the laundry twice a week and putting it away is included in this 15 minutes.) And, really, I don't use my downstairs much (it's a finished basement), so once I finish getting it organized and cleaned, it shouldn't even need 15 minutes per day; probably more like 5 minutes to just keep the spiders beat back and take out the trash occasionally. If, like me, you're a single person in a larger home, there are probably rooms in your house that you don't use much, so they will not need that much cleaning.
If your rooms are quite messy, 15 minutes will not feel like enough, but if you consistently do 15 minutes per week, in just a few weeks, you will be looking around for things to do and dusting baseboards and ceiling fans and washing windows. Just keep at it and it will eventually get caught up, and then you won't need even the 15 minutes most weeks.
Also, as a long-term goal, consider a different job. If you're consistently that tired when you get home, you're probably working a job you don't like very well or that's not fulfilling, and it's sucking the energy and life force out of you. A job that makes you feel good when you're doing it shouldn't leave you exhausted every single day--at least not so tired you can't sit down and write. And it may not be your job, but an excessively-long commute. So you may need to consider a similar job closer to home, or asking to telecommute a day or two per week to save the commute. (I'm assuming since you're in a family home, selling it is out of the question.)
@@kerim.peardon5551 Thank you so much!!! THIS is a good one!!! I will put this on practise!!! And yeah my job is making me so tired. I do consider changing my job. Again, thank you so much!!!❤✨
The clutter is weighing you down. Start purging, one bookcase or cabinet or room at a time. Once you get a house cleaned out and simplified, you don't have to spend so much time "cleaning" because you don't have so much stuff in your way. Give yourself rules that work for you, for instance, the rule for paper: act on it, file it, or toss it, immediately. No paper piles allowed. I'm a student, which involves a lot of paper and books - they are all on one table, not allowed to "migrate." You have to figure out a routine that works for you. Goodwill is waiting ...
Thank you, Aki❤Very inspiring. These are noble habits indeed.
I actually pick the trash a few times in the United States, though for me it is because I want to keep the environment clean, and if someone sees me doing it, maybe others will do the same xD
I love this series . So lovely to learn that we can adopt into our own lives . So valuable
You are just the best! So glad to discover you (and subscribe) on the 2nd to the last day of 2023 thereby ensuring that 2024 will be more peaceful, fulfilling and tidy. Thank you for all the positive energy you share. Your smile makes me smile.
こんにちは Aki, I love your Channel. I'm originally from Germany but live in the US. I'm very in love with Japanese Culture and Lifestyle.
I have a question, what religion or way of life is mostly common in japan these days and what do you believe in? If you don't mind asking.
Thank you for another great video Akki! Love Japanese disciplines.
Thank you for a wonderful video! It has given me much to think about! Peace!!
Thank you for these japanese advises full of wisdom ! 😊
Привет, спасибо за ваш труд. Вы помогли мне по-новому взглянуть на свою жизнь. Также спасибо вам за ваш оптимизм , потому что вы заряжаете меня энергией начать что-то менять. После ваших видео я выбросила и отдала не нужные вещи и начала ценить то, что у меня уже есть. В России мы не сортируем мусор, и на улице очень грязно - повсюду целлофан. Хуже всего то, что люди с презрением относятся уборщикам. Но теперь мне не будет страшно убираться на улице. Правда лучше я буду делать это в перчатках хахаха
Thank you we have missed your videos. Love them.
Thank you very much. I can improve in ALL of these areas. I will begin working on them tomorrow.
Thanks!
I used to visit cemeteries just to look but I found out that every time I did that, someone close to me would die - coincidence? Anyway, I only go if I want to honor a person I was close to who is buried there.
Thank you so much！
That is amazing video. I like the way you explain and emotion. These content are very reality and practical. Some examples are inserted carefully. Furthermore, i always admire your pronunciation like native people. Love your life with lovely content. Keep moving bro!❤
Thanks for sharing Japanese positive gesture in a dayly life
You make such lovely content.
Looking forward to going to that place you visited in London that serves matcha 🤗☕️
Hey Aki, another great video, thank you. Will you make a video about your meditation and stretching routine?
Thank Samurai Matcha, I will apply these habits as possible. Greetings from Canada
This video is not only inspirational but also fun to watch. Nice job making it!
Beautiful! You do live a wonderful life. I pickup plastic bags whenever I can. I'm afraid they will blow into Lake Michigan. I also keep some of them for daily trash at home. Bright blessings to you and your family from Chicago, USA.
Wow Super Ideas Brother. I want to try them all. your videos inspire me a lot. Thank you so much for this valuable video.❤️❤️💐💐🤗🤗
Thank you for this video and learning some of your culture 😊
Good informational video. Those 7 habits should be in every household.
❤ you're so wise and pure 🙏 I'm so grateful for you and your content... and eventhough I'm Swiss living in Germany I discover some ''so japanese'' behaviour on myself, it makes me grateful and glad 🤗