After a New Journey into Japan’s Cultural Depths

A Lifelong Mission to Unveil Japan’s True Image

I just returned to Osaka after completing my pre-summer research trip, primarily because recent summers in Japan have reached such extreme humidity levels that going outdoors is now more burdensome than enjoyable. Summers during my childhood were comfortable, but within just over two decades, they have drastically changed, forcing me to shift my primary research activities to periods from early spring to just before summer, and autumn. Nowadays, summer has become a time dedicated exclusively to acquiring new technical skills, while winter is spent thoroughly immersing myself in extensive reading.

During this latest journey, I simultaneously pursued multiple research objectives, visiting numerous locations over ten days, including Yonago and Tottori cities in Tottori Prefecture; Ōda, Hamada, and Izumo cities in Shimane Prefecture; Takahashi and Kurashiki cities in Okayama Prefecture; Takamatsu and Zentsūji cities in Kagawa Prefecture; and Tokushima Prefecture. My investigations covered a wide range of topics, from my own ancestors to folk crafts (mingei), customs, beliefs, mythology, traditional performing arts, and the influences of Confucianism. Each area offered deeper insights than ever before, making the journey incredibly valuable.

I have always struggled to remain in one place for long, constantly moving from location to location. Conducting multiple inquiries simultaneously has enhanced the quality of my travels, and I strive tirelessly to achieve a deeper understanding of Japan than anyone else. Nevertheless, I am repeatedly reminded that despite Japan’s relatively small size, its historical and cultural depth is profoundly vast. As I frequently note, historical Japan once comprised diverse cultural spheres, often changing just beyond the next mountain. Therefore, answering the fundamental question, “What exactly is Japan?” remains extraordinarily difficult. Without integrating various layered perspectives, no matter how extensive my research, capturing the complete picture feels nearly impossible. Yet today, many commentators, both domestic and international, tend to provide overly simplistic answers to this complex question, significantly distorting perceptions of Japan.