On Ways of Living (Part 16) — From "150 Words"

Since ancient times, Japanese people have lived by engaging their sensibilities within three types of harmony. These are the harmony (connection) between humans and nature (living things and life), the harmony between humans and other humans (gratitude and compassion), and the harmony between humans and the divine (the invisible, such as gods or spirits residing in nature, or ancestral spirits). It is through these three harmonies that a heart capable of being moved and a heart that loves life are cultivated, and perhaps a healthy spirit is nurtured as well.

— From "A Gaze Toward a Sense of Wonder: Rachel Carson's Sensibility" (University of Tokyo Press, 2014)

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This proposition re-examines human spirituality and ways of living through the philosophy of "harmony" that lies at the root of Japanese culture. The three harmonies discussed here can be understood as the foundation that has supported the Japanese worldview, ethics, and further, their view of nature, religion, and sense of community.

First, the "harmony between humans and nature (life)" indicates that since ancient times, Japanese people have perceived nature not merely as a resource, but as an existence with which to live together. A delicate sensitivity toward mountains, rivers, forests, the four seasons, and living things is deeply expressed in waka poetry, haiku, agricultural culture, and festivals. Nature was not an object to be conquered, but the very cycle of life that envelops and sustains humans. This sense overlaps with modern environmental ethics. What Rachel Carson warned of in "Silent Spring" was also the issue that when humans lose harmony with nature, civilization itself falls into crisis.

The second, "harmony between humans and humans," is the philosophy of "wa" (harmony) in Japanese society. Gratitude, compassion, mutual aid, and the sense of "reading the air" were not merely etiquette, but a spiritual culture that maintained the community. In Japan, not only individual freedom but also "living together" has been emphasized. This philosophy poses an important question to modern society, which prioritizes competition and efficiency above all else. In an age where human relationships are severed and isolation deepens, it is also a question of whether what is truly needed is not the power to defeat others, but the power to empathize and resonate.

The third, "harmony between humans and the divine (the invisible)," represents a uniquely Japanese spirituality. The "divine" here is not an absolute ruler, but the "presence" or "spirituality" that dwells within nature, ancestors, the land, and life itself. In the philosophy of the eight million gods in Shinto, spiritual value is recognized in every existence in the natural world. In other words, it is the sense that the world is not composed only of matter, but is supported by invisible connections. This sense transcends anthropocentrism and leads to reverence for life as a whole.

The core of this proposition is that by having these three harmonies in place, people can cultivate a "heart that is moved" and a "heart that loves life," rather than simply living conveniently. Being moved means having one's heart stirred by the beauty of nature, the kindness of others, and the mystery of life. And a heart that loves life is the sense of affirming life in connection not only with oneself but with others and the entire world.

In modern society, while science, technology, and AI are advancing rapidly, the decline of human sensibility and spirituality has become a problem. This proposition suggests that "progress" should not be measured merely by technological development, but by how deeply humans can resonate with life. In other words, what is needed in future society is to reconnect technology and sensibility, rationality and spirituality, and science and poetry.

This philosophy does not merely speak of the traditional values of Japanese culture. It is also a philosophy that re-examines "what makes humans rich" in the face of a modern civilization where environmental crises, isolation, and mental anxiety are spreading.

(Co-created with ChatGPT on May 14, 2026)
The above is a personal view and is not related to the organization to which I belong.