Japanese affection is not uttered in words; it scarcely appears even in the tone of voice; it is chiefly shown in acts of exquisite courtesy and kindness.
Interpretation
Japanese affection is expressed through actions rather than words.
This quote by Lafcadio Hearn highlights the cultural nuances of expressing affection in Japan, where love and care are often shown through thoughtful actions and behaviors rather than spoken declarations or vocal tones. It emphasizes the importance of subtlety and consideration in interpersonal relationships, illustrating how kindness and courtesy serve as the primary vehicles for expressing deep emotional connections.
In practice
During a cultural exchange presentation about Japanese customs.
The tea ceremony requires years of training and practice ... yet the whole of this art, as to its detail, signifies no more than the making and serving of a cup of tea. The supremely important matter is that the act be performed in the most perfect, most polite, most graceful, most charming manner possible.
No man can possibly know what life means, what the world means, until he has a child and loves it. And then the whole universe changes and nothing will ever again seem exactly as it seemed before.
In the world of reality the more beautiful a work of art, the longer, we may be sure, was the time required to make it, and the greater the number of different minds which assisted in its development.
But what is after all the happiness of mere power? There is a greater happiness possible than to be lord of heaven and earth; that is the happiness of being truly loved.
Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.
Racism has a very quick expiration date when exposed to actual contact with people.
You may be as different as the sun and the moon, but the same blood flows through both your hearts. You need her, as she needs you.
Socializing on the internet is to socializing what reality TV is to reality.
The one joy that has kept me going through life has been the fact that stories unite us. To see you as you listen to me now, as you have always listened to me, is to know this: what I can believe, you can believe. And the way we all see our story-not just as Irish people but as flesh and blood individuals and not the way people tell us to see it-that's what we own, no matter who we are and where we come from.
this is why we call people exes, I guess - because the paths that cross in the middle end up separating at the end. it's too easy to see an X as a cross-out. it's not, because there's no way to cross out something like that. the X is a diagram of two paths.
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