What is "wa gatari / 和語り"?

"Wa gatari" is a word I coined from "和 (wa)"/ Japan and "語り (katari)"/ storytelling. Spontaneously, it sounds like storytelling from Japan. I tried it once on Instagram, but I soon realised that wasn't my intention.

What do I want to write about then? 

"Wa (和) is more than just Japan. It originally means "peace (平和)" and "harmony (調和)". Most importantly, it is also part of my name, "kazu (和)". I've always had a need to be understood and a burning passion to express myself. Here, as I explore and nurture what I really want and need, I express myself through my practices in coaching, "jubun-jiku (自分軸)" and astrology. Whatever my stories are: It's already 'wa gatari'!

Why do I want to write in English?

In my life I've met so many kindred spirits who don't understand Japanese. Interestingly, I've written a lot in English at work and school, but I haven't written the most important things to me well enough to convey me as a person.

If I didn't express it, they couldn't understand me any more than I could understand them. Even those who love Japan and think they understand Japan, its culture and its way of thinking, from my point of view, really don't.

No culture is superior to another

As a Japanese who has been exposed to Western cultures for many years, I've been frustrated by how easily people stereotype each other's cultures, when every culture has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Having lived and worked in Japan and Sweden, I have cultivated my unique Japanese-Scandinavian perspective on various aspects of work and life. In addition, my background in social sustainability and cultural studies helps me to quickly shift my views from a rigid dichotomy to an open meta-view, and from extreme individualism or collectivism to balanced inter-connectedness.

"Jibun-jiku" is the key to universality

"Jibun-jiku (自分軸)" literally means "self-axis" and is an emotional and mental state of people whose inner pivot or centre is balanced and self-standing through knowing and trusting themselves.

No matter where you are, "jibun-jiku" can be influenced by "tanin-jiku (他人軸)", others' views and values in their cultures and social norms. The more insecure you feel in life, the more important it is that you consciously separate your inner values from your outer values and reaffirm your "centre", which is what you really want and need.

What is "Wa gatari" after all?

The world is changing rapidly and the established foundation is becoming increasingly shaky. Exploring and nurturing what I really want and need in Wa gatari, I want to share my journey to keep my 'centre' for those who might benefit from my experiences to balance their lives.