These 7 Japanese Concepts will Transform Your Life

This concept is all about finding beauty in imperfection. It teaches us that nothing in life is perfect including yourself and others. Instead of striving for flawlessness, find joy in the imperfection that makes life unique.

This is a Japanese term that originates from Zen Buddhism. It is usually translated as “perseverance,” “patience,” or “tolerance,” but it really means “bearing the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity.” It teaches you to preserve your dignity during tough times. 

The ancient Japanese idiom, Oubaitori, comes from the kanji for the four trees that bloom in spring: cherry blossoms, plum, peach, and apricot. Each flower blooms in its own time, and the meaning behind the idiom is that we all grow and bloom at our own pace. It teaches you not to compare yourself to others. 

Kaizen is a compound of two Japanese words that together translate as "good change" or "improvement." However, Kaizen has come to mean "continuous improvement". It teaches you to always seek to improve in all areas of your life. Even small change can add up and make a big impact over time. 

This is a Japanese martial art concept and describes the stages of learning to mastery. The word shuhari roughly translates to "first learn, then detach, and finally transcend.". It is a way of thinking about how to learn and master a technique.

However, a popular quote relating to this says that “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. But when the student is truly ready the teacher will disappear” – Tao Te Ching. This means that the teacher will teach you if you are ready to learn but the application of the knowledge is absolutely your responsibility.

Good luck.