The Japanese がんばって mantra: Life lessons and more...

Allow me to digress from the core theme of recent posts to inject a different (but related) 'food for thought'. I can only hope that you'll see the applicable value of this post to island heritage ...

Ganbatte kudasai (がんばってください) is one of the first phrases I learnt as a student of Japanese. It’s used in and outside the classroom. Almost four years on I have fully embraced this Japanese principle and mantra. 

Essentially, “ganbatte kudasai” is a 'charge' or encouragement for you to 'keep at'; 'go for'; 'hold on to' something. Ganbarimasu is the response phrase which means, ‘yes, I will do my best”. 

‘Ganbatte’ life lessons

コミュニティスピリット(community spirit): Principle of the がんばって mantra. Scores of locals work together to restore the 19th century Gasshou Zukuri houses in Shirakawa-go.

Until you are immersed in the Japanese society you may never fully appreciate this simple, yet powerful life lesson. I could be wrong in this observation, but the ‘ganbatte’ mantra appears to be the single outlook to transcend the ‘higher-lower’ hierarchy in the society. It becomes an expectation in every sphere of life, among all peoples, in almost all contexts. It’s anticipated and applicable in almost every single thing that you do. In short, it’s a way of life in Japan. As a foreigner, the principle has become a measure of my psyche!

But ‘ganbatte’ encourages much more than ‘doing your best’. The principle speaks to commitment and passion for something which embraces the intrinsic value and worth you place on that thing. It facilitates increased levels of productivity among the Japanese, particularly those engaged in development initiatives. Have you ever wondered about the growth levels in Japan? Much of what the country accomplishes is a direct result of the spirit of togetherness, attitudes and ethics of the people. One of the reasons the Historic Villages of  Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, are named to the World Heritage List is the community spirit evidenced amongst locals to conserve and safeguard their cultural environment.

I’m not suggesting Japan is a perfect nation. Like any other developed country it has its challenges. I, however, respect that the Japanese live by a principle which commit to tackling those challenges.

Locals protect the integrity of their historic houses and environment

The ‘ganbatte’ principle in heritage

One of the first papers I wrote as a graduate student in Japan was inspired to some degree by the ‘ganbatte’ mantra. I was introduced to two local (cultural) communities - Shirakawa-go and Gokayama - located in the Chubu region. It would be cumbersome to share the full story in this space, but, the essential lesson is the intrinsic value the locals place on their heritage, and how this propels them to conserve, safeguard, celebrate, and develop that heritage. 

Through a comparative analysis, I attempted to capture the importance of local ‘attitudes’ and values; passion and commitment to heritage development in a Jamaica Journal article titled “The intrinsic value of cultural heritage and its relationship to sustainable tourism development: the contrasting experiences of Jamaica and Japan", http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7495/is_200906/ai_n42854806/

Japan is a model in heritage conservation, so the ‘ganbatte’ mantra in heritage is to be expected. Collectively, the main islands of Honshu, Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu are home to diverse natural and cultural heritage assets. Again, I’m not suggesting their heritage outlook is flawless. They too have challenges in shaping a sustainable heritage industry. I am appreciative that the island nation continues to make heritage a priority even amidst its own fiscal challenges. 

The Torii, or Gateway, (in background) at Miyajima Island is a classic and celebrated icon in Japan. It represents traditional Japanese architectural expression. Miyajima Island situated in southwestern Hiroshima is a sacred historic district which is home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

I met this elderly couple in Hiroshima Peace Park (in the background Hiroshima Genbaku Dome). We sat for a couple hours talking about the legacy of the Genbaku Dome and Caribbean heritage. Imagine my surprise when they started singing Harry Belafonte’s banana boat song!

Not only do the Japanese show reasonable levels of reverence towards their cultural heritage, but they are ‘enarmoured’ by other peoples and their cultures. This is most evident on either side of the demographic pendulum – children/young adults to older persons.

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The 'mantra' groomed personal endeavours...

I will be the first to admit that the 'ganbatte' mantra has carried me through my years of study in Japan. I have 'groomed' my passion and commitment to heritage research, and the 'un-spoken' expectation that the research must move beyond 'pages to practice'.

I have a deeper appreciation of heritage education, as well as a more solid and wholesome perspective about the socio-economic and political value of tangible and intangible heritage assets.
 

A partial view of the foyer to the World Heritage Laboratory, University of Tsukuba. The entrance is an informal ‘classroom’ which provides visitors and students with information on pertinent issues surrounding world heritage, as well as celebrating the cultural assets of nations. The Doctoral programme in World Cultural Heritage Studies is the first and only programme in the world specifically related to studies of world cultural heritage.
 

I agree with a colleague of mine with whom I had a brief conversation about this, that island nations (as likely all nations) they too have their own ‘ganbatte’ mantra. Id go out on the limb and say that few countries 'wear' the principle with as much flair as the Japanese.  

As an Islander committed to the sustainable development of heritage, I have challenged myself to do my very best with the resources around me. Small islands have a responsibility to adopt and adapt a sustained ‘ganbatte’ approach to island heritage, focusing on “what you do with what you have”.

A friend recently shared this short feature, and two thoughts struck me. We are still not fully cognizant of how much we do have. Even more devastating, we are doing very little to capitalize on the supreme power and appeal of our island heritage...

From the "land of the rising sun" to your island home - がんばって　ください!