That 'cluttered room' might just be an art museum.
The 5 Elements That Nurture 'Ground' Part 4: Cultural Traditions
Ahhh!
Well, it's become the season for hot pot, hasn't it?
Today, I'm having some hot sake with oden, featuring daikon radish and thick fried tofu simmered until tender.
It's stylish to blow on a piece of daikon soaked in broth and wash it down with a cold drink, but in winter, nothing beats warm sake for the body and soul... (gulp).
Yes, yes, I know, I'm just rambling while tipsy!
Last time, I talked about how the 'ethical spirit (ground)' of 'he who does not work shall not eat' might be the true identity of the grandfather who refuses support.
The standards of 'good and evil' are soaked into the very air of the land, aren't they?
Now, as promised, today is the fourth installment of the 5 elements that nurture 'ground'.
I'd like to talk about 'cultural traditions' from the other side of the oden steam.
In short, this is a story about the foundation of our 'sense (sensibility)' regarding what we perceive as 'rich' and 'beautiful'. foundation of our sense (sensibility) is what this is about.
🎨 Does it look like a 'dirty room' to you?
Have you ever encountered a user like this in the field?
[Case Study: Ms. D (85 years old, female)]
Living alone in an old folk house nearly 100 years old.
The inside of the house is overflowing with 'things'—old kimonos, wooden boxes, cracked jars, and farming tools of unknown purpose...
There is barely any room to step, and it is dimly lit.
[Figure (Objective Facts)]
○ Items are scattered about
○ Low lighting
○ Risk of falling
How do helpers and care managers, accustomed to modern apartment living, react when they see this?
"Let's tidy up."
"It's dangerous, so let's throw it away."
"It's unsanitary (hygiene management)."
As an approach to the "figure," this is correct (ensuring safety).
However, D adamantly refuses.
They get angry, saying, "Does it look like trash to you people!"
Now, let's put on the glasses of "cultural tradition (ground)"and take a peek at D's"aesthetic sense."
Element 4 of "Commonality": Cultural Tradition
"Cultural tradition" refers to the lifestyles, arts, and aesthetic senses rooted in that land.
What if the culture D has lived in is one where,
"Being surrounded by things is the very symbol of prosperity"
"Things that have aged and developed character (wabi) are what is truly beautiful."
What if you held that value (aesthetic)?
In the modern day, we are taught that "simple is best," "decluttering," and "organized spaces" are what constitute "comfort (good)."
However, in D's "ground," a bare, empty space might not be interpreted as "refreshing," but rather as "poor," "lonely," or "bleak" (□).
Yes, that room isn't messy; for D, it is a "castle (art museum) filled with memories and richness."
Respecting aesthetic consciousness
If we can see this "cultural tradition (ground)," our proposals for "tidying up" will change.
Saying "It's trash, so let's throw it away (functional perspective)" is a desecration of D's "aesthetic consciousness (culture)."
A great detective (professional) might start like this:
"D, this vase has such wonderful character. You must have cherished it for a long time (empathy for aesthetic consciousness)."
First, acknowledge that the space is "rich."
Then, on top of that,
"It would be a disaster if this wonderful 'collection' were to fall and break. To ensure you can walk through here safely, why don't we do a little 'rearrangement' and display it in a place of honor?"
…How about that?
Make it a proposal for "displaying beautifully (preserving)" rather than "throwing away (eliminating)."
Even if the goal is the same—"securing a path"—by aligning the context with "cultural tradition," you can protect D's pride and aesthetic consciousness.
📝 Next time: Element 5 "Language"
People often judge what is pleasant or unpleasant based on this kind of 'aesthetic sense (ground)' rather than logic (figure) more than you might think.
The true nature of that 'vague feeling of dislike' is often just this kind of cultural gap.
Well, the daikon radish in the oden is all gone now.
Next time, it's finally the last one! I'd like to talk about the fifth element of communality: 'the way language has been used within communality'.
Dialects and unique turns of phrase.
How we say 'thank you.' How we use 'sumimasen' (I'm sorry/excuse me).
Since language is thought itself, this is also quite deep...
'They may be senile, but they still have a sense of aesthetics. They may be drunk, but they still polish their taste.'
Aiming for that kind of professional chic, I'll have one more drink tonight...
Oops, gotta be careful not to drink too much (laughs).
With that said, thank you again for sticking with me until the end!
Please share your stories about the 'particular' users around you in the comments!
Well then, cheers to today as well!🍻
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#DrunkenRecords #DrunkenCreator #Assessment #Communality #CulturalTradition #AestheticSense #Decluttering #InterpersonalSupport #SlowCare #ProfessionalPride #ItsNotADirtyRoomItsAnArtGallery