Sanma Issue 52: Walking with Oneself

✭ FEATURE THEME✭ Walking with Oneself Our feelings, emotions, physical needs, and desires are self-evident to us in the moment. Yet, when it comes to understanding ourselves, we often lack a definitive answer. The self is like an inner universe—we inhabit it, yet remain perpetually intrigued. Unlike the unreachable exploration of outer space, delving into our inner world is entirely accessible. Since we can't travel through space, why not take a walk within ourselves? Each person's solitary walk reveals different landscapes and twists and turns. Yūma Abe, vocalist of never young beach, navigates the space between the person he aspires to be and his current self, finding enjoyment in this state of gentle confusion. Photographer Kotori Kawashima felt somewhat lost amidst the overwhelming gaze of others, but in the past two years of solitary exploration, he has found a more balanced self. Zen master Toshiaki Masuno, author of numerous self-help bestsellers including "Don't React to Everything," still wakes at 4:30 AM every morning, practicing his method of spending time with himself daily. Expanding inward to outward, self-awareness requires daily practice. As "Nordic, Kurashi no Dougu Ten" discovered from the diverse life scenes observed in different individuals, the key to comfortable self-coexistence lies in paying attention to the most ordinary details of daily life. In the special feature on the "Snoopy Museum Tokyo" at the end, we sense that Snoopy in Japan is more than just cute; he embodies a profound life philosophy, accompanying people across generations as they grow. The relationship between people and themselves is always one of closeness and distance. The ideal self, the self as perceived by others, and the reflection seen in the mirror seem to hold a certain emptiness. Yet, it is within this space that we discover unexpected facets of ourselves. We hope that in a life where reality and ideals rarely align, we can each step by step find a sense of groundedness in our self-companionship. ___________ ✭ PREFACE✭ Walking as a Method, Essay as a Reflection Japan is a country that has truly mastered the art of the "essay." More improvisational than prose, more personal than a diary. I call this subtle space between the two an "ambiguous" product of the Japanese way of life, born from their life experiences. Before writing, one must observe society but not become lost in it; the writing style should be unadorned, retaining a conversational tone; the content must acknowledge the writer's present existence and consciously record the thoughts that influence their life amidst everyday trifles. This effortless, pressure-free form of writing is truly remarkable. It is unpretentious, faces the essence of things, and can sometimes even lead to a rejection of one's past self. In today's world that prioritizes "conclusions," the perspective of "I am still thinking... and don't have an answer yet" might not be easily accepted, but it perfectly suits the essay format. How can one find the joy of writing in everyday life? How can one imbue seemingly mundane days with consciousness? It wasn't until I unexpectedly discovered that many renowned Japanese essayists were also "avid walkers" that the realization dawned. Whether it was Saburo Kawamoto strolling through his neighborhood, lamenting his nostalgia for Showa-era Tokyo; or Norihiko Ikeguchi, who after reading others' walking essays, visited the places himself and humorously responded with writing and drawings, "Let's go take a look"; or Motohiro Matsuura, who practiced his life philosophy through walking, adopting a disciplined attitude akin to waking up early and maintaining tidiness. Essayists, through their walks, observed the external world and explored their inner selves, transforming aimless journeys into moments of solitude. Indeed, walking is merely a means; self-companionship is the ultimate goal. In today's world, filled with noise and uncertainty, we find that the ripples of change are quietly becoming large waves of unease and confusion, impacting people's hearts amidst recent transformations. This issue's special feature, "Walking with Oneself," draws inspiration from daily life, listening to inner voices, and embarking on a journey along life's small paths with people from different stages of life. From the vocalist Yūma Abe's bewilderment about essence, to the photographer Kotori Kawashima's honest confession about "change and permanence," to the Zen master Toshiaki Masuno's awareness of the present moment through states of selfhood and non-self, we confront deeper inner contemplation for the first time in "Sanma." We turn down the external noise, and talk to others about ourselves: realizing everyone has worries, that there's no need to rush to find the right answer, and that we all arrive in this world alone. Walking alone isn't always melancholic; sometimes, exploring with friends from different "perspectives" reveals entirely different scenery. Through the relationship between manga artist Hideyasu Motoh and his beloved dog mocozo, we feel their mutual tenderness; venturing further to the Snoopy Museum, we embrace a gentle, healing philosophy. Adopting the perspective of a cute dog lowers our stance, making the journey more enjoyable and interesting. One doesn't need to be an essayist to walk. As you walk, the world grows quiet, and you might just hear the "sound of boredom" that Japanese philosopher Kōichirō Kokubun speaks of in "Leisure and Boredom." This journey, perhaps, has already become an essay in your life. ___________ 〖TABLE OF CONTENTS〗 FEATURES Taking a Walk 010 Musician Yūma Abe 016 Photographer Kotori Kawashima 022 Zen Master Toshiaki Masuno Scenes of Life 030 Five Life Scenes from "Nordic, Kurashi no Dougu Ten" 038 Kōichirō Kokubun: A Reading Essay on "Leisure and Boredom" My Own Time 042 A Selection of Works That Make Our Inner Hearts Shine 044 Ways to Spend Time with Yourself 046 The Happy Daily Life of mocozo, the Beloved Dog, and Manga Artist Hideyasu Motoh Special Feature 052 SNOOPY MUSEUM TOKYO EVENT On-Site Report 070 "Hello, I Am Shuntaro Tanikawa — The Poet and His Creations Exhibition" REGULARS Column 074 Forty-Seven News 079 Local Dispatch: Shimane from Wang Yu-wen 080 Asian Wave: Writers Who Follow Their Inner Voices 084 Twin City Guide: Tokyo's Late-Night Used Bookstores | Kyoto's Exotic Cuisine and Photography Spaces 086 Grumpy Chef: High-Protein Soy Milk Noodles 088 Music Distribution: Tokyo Music Spender's Diary 089 Program Spotlight: My Neighbor Totoro 090 GOOD DESIGN AWARD: Romi, Moflin, and Poke-tomo 092 Self Combustion: NEW Shibuya 094 Mr. Yasuda on a Business Trip: There's Always "Him" in Life's Scenes