Japanese Garden Metaphor

Japanese Garden Metaphor

Wa and Shikata

The Japanese word ‘Wa’ literally translates to harmony while ‘Shikata’ means the accuracy of conducting an activity. ‘Wa’ is used within the Japanese community to reflect a harmonious form of human associations. This view was developed from the garden setting in which various forms of nature like water, sunlight and warmth interact in a constructive manner to evidence new plant growth. The harmony created in such elements is believed to surpass the garden constituents into the human world such that individuals can form meaningful dealings with the nature. ‘Wa’ is thereby a replication of the communal aspect within the Japanese culture as opposed to individualism practiced in various modernistic nations.

The Japanese have formed very well built interracial associations amongst themselves yet with regard to foreigners, they accord a high level of reservations. A foreigner is viewed as an unnatural element in the garden whose main objective is to break the accord evidenced in the garden elements. Therefore, the reservation is accorded in a bid to ensure a preservation of the existing ‘Wa’, which upon foreign inclusion is disturbed and requires balancing for normalcy to be attained. With foreigners being viewed as threats, the ‘Shikata’ steps in to shape the expected rightful treatment accorded to them. Therefore, businesses amongst the Japanese natives it treated with utmost harmony in the level of trust and unity created within the society but with the inclusion of foreigners, a level of caution is included.

This ensures that precise caution in terms of research is accorded to the foreigner to ascertain the credibility and motives of the trade dealing before a business relation commences that would lead to surprising costs attributed to carelessness. Additionally, the ‘Shikata’ ensures that the Japanese accord right treatment to the foreigners prior to a comprehension of their motives. This is evidenced in proper business mannerisms polite greetings and exchange of business cards.

Seishin Training

The term ‘Seishin’ literally means spirit with regard to the virtues of individual discipline and commitment towards ones roles. The Japanese believe that the main objective of training is to impart discipline in a given role as it enhances the individual’s capabilities and subsequently a superior form of subject mastery and personal development. Hardship is termed as a prerequisite element in the acquisition of the ‘Seishin’ as it builds the internal strength mandated for the good decision making with the arising of unanticipated risks or tragedies. The principles of ‘Seishin’ training are believed to have emanated from Zen Buddhism that amplifies the role of suffering in four summations; distress is unavoidable and it occurs in one’s life due to egocentric practices. However, distress can be overcome by learning truthful principles to overcome the problem once it arises. The latter description is a reflection of the Japanese mastery premise whose impetus if individual discipline.

Applying this to the business world emphasizes the role of quality execution of roles with the inflexible application of trading standards acquired from the various training sessions for a mutual benefit to the business organization and to the employee in terms of personal growth. Group activities are highly appreciated and this explains the reason why Japanese business offices do not have partitions and individuals work collectively.

Combining Droplets or Energies

Combining droplets is an emphasis of group activities in what can be viewed as synergy. The relationship acting between mothers and their children is a close one for training purposes until a ripe age of seven is attained. Mothers therefore act as mentors (senpai) to their children with the young ones being the mentees (kohai). Within the workforce, the Japanese encourage employees to have their senpai and act as mentors to others. In this manner, the various energies are combined for the overall development of the organization and its workers. This acts as a long-term preservative of the business culture within the Japanese setting.

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