I'm really intrigued by the concept of mu because of how beautifully you integrated it into your story here. And I'm trying to understand it logically but is it about observing and accepting things as they are?
Also love those peaceful sounds to signal crossing the street or a train approaching.
Thank you Elizabeth! I'm glad that's the feeling it conveys, since it's definitely how I felt.
Regarding mu, they way you expressed it fits perfectly into one of the meanings. Its literal translation is "without", or "nothingness", which alludes to something before logic or existence. And ties with how most things Zen, and especially regarding koans, are supposed to be approached: ditching the logical and try to bypass that layer of thinking by just "sitting" with it, having it in your head constantly, and then eventually you might get something out of it.
It's both liberating and difficult, which I love haha
Not versed in sake, but I’m with ol’ Ozu on the whiskey. I’ll drink some in his honor!
“Answering with "mu" hints at the question being incorrect from the beginning, rejecting that it can have a logical, binary answer.”…….Feeling personally attacked by this lol
I really admire the Japanese value placed on nature and making buildings and spaces in harmony with what already exists, and not steering attention away from it. It’s very respectful, modest, and powerful. Even looking at the photo of the grave you can clearly see how seamlessly everything blends into each other. It’s so immersive and pure.
PS I LOVE the "old Chaplin movie" sound. I listened to it a few times, I wish it was longer. It veers on that line of being nostalgic and sweet and also... potentially really creepy hahaha
Hope that whiskey sipping went well! I'm sure he's honored 😌
Hahaha clearly not attacking you, but definitely something to keep in mind 😂
You laid out beautifully the almost effortless way of the Japanese blending nature and buildings, and surprised you used "powerful" to describe it also, I completely agree. There's a lot of power in simplicity.
Hahahaha totally with you on the borderline creepy 😂 But definitely enjoyable.
Oh my goodness, the train recordings and your descriptions of them are so delightful!
You evoke zen so beautifully:
"I start noticing every step I take, the contact of the soles of my shoes with the flat rocks that act as the floor. I deeply breathe the pristine air, embrace the greenery."
I took a deep breath and felt myself relax when I read this line 😌
I'm so glad you're documenting your Japan trip and love the soundscapes while also tying in your love of cinema.
I've heard culture described as the water in which fish swim or the air we breathe, except on the social dimension. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to articulate the implicit.
I've been recommended to read "The Three Pillars Of Zen" by Philip Kapleau on the topic and practice. I'd love to hear more about your Zen reading list.
Such a great insight and description Tai! I'd never heard culture being described that way and it makes so much sense, also the fact that sometimes an outsider is needed, even further tying it with This Is Water. It's all a big ocean! Haha
Thank you for that book recommendation, I didn't know it and excited to explore it!
Someone you might know but that I just discovered is DT Suzuki. I went to a tribute museum of his in Kanazawa, and it's one of the most beautiful museums I've ever been. He brought Zen to the west and his book Zen and Japanese Culture is supposed to be his most iconic book. Really excited to read that one.
Not Zen but slightly related, I've been enjoying a lot In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, which is a great look at Japanese idiosyncrasy from the architecture and interior design perspective (he has a whole section on bathrooms 😂).
The complex in your description reminds me of my time visiting Templo del Dios del Viento. More a complex than single building. Did you take a shot with Ozu???
The sounds are a delightful addition and triggers nostalgia for me playing Pokemon games as a kid. Have you visited a Poké Center yet!?
Thank you so much Silvio! I'm so glad it gave you peace, since that's what both those experiences and writing this gave me :) Appreciate your comments so much!
Great article Oscar! I felt transported to the tomb with you while reading this, and while I hadn’t really ever thought about it, I think you’re spot on with how the concepts of nothingness and emptiness permeate through much of Japanese architecture.
Tying it to Tokyo of all places made total sense. Even though it’s a bustling and densely packed place, there is an orderliness and cohesion woven into the texture of the city that is glaringly absent in other large, Asian cities like Hong Kong or Beijing. Love how you connect the dots.
Right?! Once you see it you can't unsee it. And agreed, I would have never thought of finding it in Tokyo for the reasons you mention, but then it all came together clearly. And it is indeed a very different feeling from any other city.
Loved your expression "texture of the city" and the whole wording of your comment, thank you Jon!
Loved the sounds in the end! Would be so nice to change the anooying traffic light sounds with those of birds.
Also interesting view on the city's architecture. Made me realize again how limited our own cultural view is and how we often act completely oblivious of how others experience the world.
I'm with you! The soundscape of the cities would improve if they all did that.
Glad it made you think of that, completely agree. We only get to experience and reflect first hand those cultural differences when we travel, which I know you like so much too.
Ahh this issue feels so calming, so zen.
I'm really intrigued by the concept of mu because of how beautifully you integrated it into your story here. And I'm trying to understand it logically but is it about observing and accepting things as they are?
Also love those peaceful sounds to signal crossing the street or a train approaching.
Love reading about your journey in Japan =)
Thank you Elizabeth! I'm glad that's the feeling it conveys, since it's definitely how I felt.
Regarding mu, they way you expressed it fits perfectly into one of the meanings. Its literal translation is "without", or "nothingness", which alludes to something before logic or existence. And ties with how most things Zen, and especially regarding koans, are supposed to be approached: ditching the logical and try to bypass that layer of thinking by just "sitting" with it, having it in your head constantly, and then eventually you might get something out of it.
It's both liberating and difficult, which I love haha
Not versed in sake, but I’m with ol’ Ozu on the whiskey. I’ll drink some in his honor!
“Answering with "mu" hints at the question being incorrect from the beginning, rejecting that it can have a logical, binary answer.”…….Feeling personally attacked by this lol
I really admire the Japanese value placed on nature and making buildings and spaces in harmony with what already exists, and not steering attention away from it. It’s very respectful, modest, and powerful. Even looking at the photo of the grave you can clearly see how seamlessly everything blends into each other. It’s so immersive and pure.
PS I LOVE the "old Chaplin movie" sound. I listened to it a few times, I wish it was longer. It veers on that line of being nostalgic and sweet and also... potentially really creepy hahaha
Hope that whiskey sipping went well! I'm sure he's honored 😌
Hahaha clearly not attacking you, but definitely something to keep in mind 😂
You laid out beautifully the almost effortless way of the Japanese blending nature and buildings, and surprised you used "powerful" to describe it also, I completely agree. There's a lot of power in simplicity.
Hahahaha totally with you on the borderline creepy 😂 But definitely enjoyable.
Thank you for reading dear Sandra!!
Oh my goodness, the train recordings and your descriptions of them are so delightful!
You evoke zen so beautifully:
"I start noticing every step I take, the contact of the soles of my shoes with the flat rocks that act as the floor. I deeply breathe the pristine air, embrace the greenery."
I took a deep breath and felt myself relax when I read this line 😌
I'm glad it made you feel that way Rachael! Also happy you enjoyed the recordings as much as I did! Thank you very much :))
I loved this piece, Oscar! You have a gift at putting us in the scene right along with you. It will come in handy when you are directing ;)
Such flattering comment Camilo, thank you so much!!
I'm so glad you're documenting your Japan trip and love the soundscapes while also tying in your love of cinema.
I've heard culture described as the water in which fish swim or the air we breathe, except on the social dimension. Sometimes it takes an outside perspective to articulate the implicit.
I've been recommended to read "The Three Pillars Of Zen" by Philip Kapleau on the topic and practice. I'd love to hear more about your Zen reading list.
Such a great insight and description Tai! I'd never heard culture being described that way and it makes so much sense, also the fact that sometimes an outsider is needed, even further tying it with This Is Water. It's all a big ocean! Haha
Thank you for that book recommendation, I didn't know it and excited to explore it!
Someone you might know but that I just discovered is DT Suzuki. I went to a tribute museum of his in Kanazawa, and it's one of the most beautiful museums I've ever been. He brought Zen to the west and his book Zen and Japanese Culture is supposed to be his most iconic book. Really excited to read that one.
Not Zen but slightly related, I've been enjoying a lot In Praise of Shadows by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, which is a great look at Japanese idiosyncrasy from the architecture and interior design perspective (he has a whole section on bathrooms 😂).
Thank you for your insightful comment Tai!
That first footnote 😂 que verdad!!!
The complex in your description reminds me of my time visiting Templo del Dios del Viento. More a complex than single building. Did you take a shot with Ozu???
The sounds are a delightful addition and triggers nostalgia for me playing Pokemon games as a kid. Have you visited a Poké Center yet!?
Looking for to your next dispatch my dear friend.
You're right! That temple in Tulum has a similar idea as it is a whole complex, only with a more tropical weather haha.
I didn't take a shot with Ozu there 😂 But do usually think of him every time I sip sake.
No Poke Center so far but definitely that vibe hahaha
Thank you fo reading man!
Such a calm inducing piece, Oscar. Loved it! And loved those samples! Excellent narrative and beautiful subject. Thank you for these pearls!
Thank you so much Silvio! I'm so glad it gave you peace, since that's what both those experiences and writing this gave me :) Appreciate your comments so much!
Great article Oscar! I felt transported to the tomb with you while reading this, and while I hadn’t really ever thought about it, I think you’re spot on with how the concepts of nothingness and emptiness permeate through much of Japanese architecture.
Tying it to Tokyo of all places made total sense. Even though it’s a bustling and densely packed place, there is an orderliness and cohesion woven into the texture of the city that is glaringly absent in other large, Asian cities like Hong Kong or Beijing. Love how you connect the dots.
Right?! Once you see it you can't unsee it. And agreed, I would have never thought of finding it in Tokyo for the reasons you mention, but then it all came together clearly. And it is indeed a very different feeling from any other city.
Loved your expression "texture of the city" and the whole wording of your comment, thank you Jon!
Loved the sounds in the end! Would be so nice to change the anooying traffic light sounds with those of birds.
Also interesting view on the city's architecture. Made me realize again how limited our own cultural view is and how we often act completely oblivious of how others experience the world.
Great read!
I'm with you! The soundscape of the cities would improve if they all did that.
Glad it made you think of that, completely agree. We only get to experience and reflect first hand those cultural differences when we travel, which I know you like so much too.
Thank you for reading!