{"id":5784,"date":"2018-01-24T22:29:46","date_gmt":"2018-01-24T21:29:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/0023am.net\/?p=5784"},"modified":"2022-01-31T12:11:49","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T11:11:49","slug":"%e8%81%b7%e4%ba%ba%e6%b0%97%e8%b3%aa-shokunin-kishitsu-or-i-want-to-become-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/0023am.net\/?p=5784","title":{"rendered":"\u8077\u4eba\u6c17\u8cea [Shokunin Kishitsu] or: I want to become better"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

A couple of years ago someone named David Gelb made a wonderful movie about a Japanese chef in Tokyo who had honed his skills to make mind-blowing sushi. The movie is called ‘Jiro Dreams of Sushi<\/a>‘, I believe you have heard of this? The film became a bit of a global phenomenon due to its incredibly aesthetically pleasing shots of sushi — and the eccentric but lovable elderly man who ran the business: Jiro became somewhat of a hero. Or at least in my eyes he did. As much as this film is about sushi, it is about finding and living a life’s purpose. It was Jiro that coined the words \u8077\u4eba\u6c17\u8cea [shokunin kishitsu<\/em>] during the film and suddenly made this a thing<\/em> in the world, more than just a thing in Japanese culture where it probably already exists for centuries. It roughly translates as “the craftsman’s spirit”<\/em> and the idea that you should strive to continually improve yourself and your craft each day.<\/p>\n

In my opinion shokunin kishitsu<\/em> illustrates a wonderful, wonderful thing that helps you live a more authentic, purposeful life with meaning and intention. Meaning and intention are key here. It is about pouring not just your hands and your heart into a project, but also a part of your soul. With whatever you do, you can stretch this idea and apply this in all areas of your life. It can make that subtle difference, that something made with love and intention can be so much more beautiful, delicious or meaningful. The combination of intention and passion\u2014 it creates an energy that is tangible in the end-result.<\/p>\n

This may be the ‘new year, new me’ talking (it is<\/em> still January), or it is that little glimmer of hope inside the sea of despair and depression that is my mental state right now, but I do really want to become better<\/em>. More aware. More conscious. More alive. And I do intend to fully educate myself because that’s the only thing I feel I know how to do. And I do apologise if I sound preachy, in this post or in my previous ones. But to me it is part of the process, isn’t it?<\/p>\n

I have finally<\/em> realised that I shouldn’t essentially be doing work solely for the people around me. But we also have to keep our own soul nourished and happy, this is not a selfish thing but a vital<\/em> thing. And there are some questions that can be asked when starting to practice, or evaluating my own shokunin kishitsu<\/em>:<\/p>\n