Edo environmental philosophy | 日本文化、世界の歴史・健康・ミライにチャレンジ

Edo environmental philosophy



 

 

To give birth to cause (Yue o Hamu) is an ancient Japanese term for

"Old things are given new life and shine once again. Discarded items are reused, leading to a prosperous future."

This is similar to the idea of upcycling.
Nowadays, from the perspective of sustainability and environmental protection, it is important to cherish and reuse old things. In this context, phrases such as ``giving birth to the past'' are used to refer to the idea of reevaluating the values of tradition and the past and reborn in a new form.


Kogo are words and expressions used during Japan's classical literary period (from ancient times to the Middle Ages). It appears particularly frequently in the Heian and Kamakura period texts such as ``The Tale of Genji'' and ``The Pillow Book.'' Although the grammar and meaning are different compared to modern Japanese, knowledge of ancient languages is still important in order to create an attractive world that is different from "here and now" and to deeply understand Japanese culture and history. is.


Edo environmental philosophy: The origins of upcycling and remake

Throughout its deep history, the streets of Edo were known as much for their skillful circulation of resources as for their colorful culture and customs. In the shadow of the bravery of the samurai and the charm of the flower world, people's daily lives were supported by a lifestyle that maximized the use of resources and produced no waste.

This sustainable "recycling society" could be said to be the forerunner of today's upcycling and remaking. In the island nation of Japan, which lacks resources, a culture of valuing things and keeping their value alive flourished.

As an example, let's consider the handling of kimonos. Kimonos that are no longer in use have been upcycled into new items, or recycled as tatami mats and rags. Every part of the ingredients was reused and reprocessed, with no surplus left over, and they were revived as ingredients for new meals.

Domestic waste in cities was seen as something to be reused or recycled, while in rural areas it was waiting to be recycled as fertilizer or materials. This was a manifestation of the Edo people's philosophy of understanding the true value of things and making full use of them. Their wisdom and habits can serve as great lessons for our future. In these ever-changing times, the Edo philosophy of circulation remains our eternal guideline.