Japan is known by the names Nihon or Nippon, which mean “land of the rising sun”. However, before adopting this name, Japan identified itself as “Yamato“, where the kanji 大和 includes the character “WA”, although it does not correspond to the sound. We can therefore say that the concept of WA is deeply rooted in Japan’s origins. It is interesting to note that Japan also used the name “Hi-no-moto” to refer to itself, combining the kanji for “day/sun” (日) and “origin” (本). Over time, the phonetic reading of these characters evolved into Nippon or Nihon. 

As mentioned, the concept of “wa” in Japan is intrinsically linked to Japanese culture and philosophy, reflecting the importance of harmony, balance, and mutual respect in everyday life. Numerous thinkers and philosophers have emphasized the importance of “wa”. For example, Motoori Norinaga, a thinker of the Edo period, emphasized “wa” as the foundation of Japanese identity, arguing that only by maintaining social harmony and internal peace can society thrive. Similarly, the classic work “Hagakure” by Yamamoto Tsunetomo from the 18th century promoted the ideal of “wa” through concepts such as loyalty, personal sacrifice, and respect for authority. 

With the ascension of the current Emperor Naruhito, the Reiwa era began, which means “beauty” and “harmony” (Rei 礼 for beauty + Wa 和 for harmony). References to the concept of “wa” are widespread in various areas. For example, silence and absence, understood as empty space, represent “wa”, just as the tea ceremony is often considered an expression of harmony. 

The tea ceremony incorporates the harmony of the universe, as the elements used represent the idea of yin and yang with its five elements: wood, fire, earth, water, and metal. Matcha represents wood, the stove is fire, ceramics represent earth, the teapot embodies metal, and water is contained in the teapot. Therefore, the energy and harmony of these five combined elements enter the body of the tea drinker. 

The room used for the tea ceremony is also imbued with WA: the entrance must be lowered, so that everyone who enters must bow and thus show humility. In the time of the samurai, the sword was banned from the room, so this space represented a safe place to relax and find inner peace. 

Obviously, even in poetry, we have the concept of WA, in addition to Haiku (俳句) we have Waka 和歌 poetry, which has a different meter from Haiku (5,7,5) and is longer (5,7,5,7,7). They are phrases that have a great philosophical and contemplative richness, which evoke in the reader a state of meditation, therefore of peace and harmony. 

ありがとうございます 

(Arigatou gozaimasu)