wagokoro – japanese spirit
I realised something today. There’s a difference between liking Japanese culture and actually having wagokoro (和心) — the Japanese heart or spirit. The “wa” (和) here means harmony, peace, and the way people in Japan try to maintain balance in relationships. It’s not just a pretty word — it’s a whole way of thinking.
You can love Japan, watch all the movies, eat all the food, and even learn the etiquette… but wagokoro is something else. It’s not about memorising rules; it’s about living with the mindset of thinking about others before yourself. Unless you’ve lived in Japan and been part of that daily rhythm, it’s hard to really feel it.
For me, tea ceremony gave me a small glimpse into it. In the tearoom, every movement, every pause, every bow is for the other person. You learn to read the atmosphere, to make small adjustments so everyone feels comfortable. That’s wagokoro.
I see the contrast most clearly in mixed groups — especially in organisations where Japanese and Western members work side by side. Sometimes, one side wants clear black-and-white answers. The other side — often the Japanese side — is more concerned with finding a middle ground, a solution where everyone walks away feeling heard and satisfied. Neither approach is wrong, but the gap in priorities is there, quietly shaping the outcome.
Liking Japanese culture is the first step. Wagokoro is what lies beneath — the part you can’t learn from a book, only from living it, day after day. It’s not a checklist; it’s something that slowly becomes part of you.
And maybe that’s the heart of it: wagokoro isn’t about winning — it’s about making sure no one loses.