I’m Glad I Was Born Japanese: Discovering the Essence of “Being Japanese” Through the Wisdom of Jomon and Ancient Japan

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Even if the world becomes distorted, I will live proudly without wavering—as a person with a severe acquired disability and as a Japanese. A heartfelt blog tracing the roots of Japanese identity through Jomon culture and ancient wisdom.

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Being Japanese
Applying Jomon culture to modern life
Values of ancient Japan
Severely disabled in Japan
Life of harmony and coexistence
Reasons to be proud to be Japanese
Tired of competitive society
Japanese spirituality
Animism in Japanese culture
Living authentically

📑 Table of Contents

Introduction | Why I’m Drawn to Jomon and Ancient Japan
Core of Jomon Culture: The Philosophy of Harmony and Cycles
Changes in the Yayoi Period and the Birth of Ancient Japan
What Does It Mean to Be Japanese?
The Meaning of Being Japanese as a Person with a Severe Disability
How to Live Without Losing Our “Japanese-ness”
Conclusion | Passing Down the Culture of Kindness to the Future

1. Introduction | Why I’m Drawn to Jomon and Ancient Japan

As someone living with a severe acquired disability, reflecting on my roots has become a crucial part of accepting myself. In recent years, the more I’ve explored Jomon culture and the history of ancient Japan, the more I’ve come to genuinely feel, “I’m glad I was born Japanese.”

It’s not just because the natural beauty of Japan is stunning. It’s because within our way of thinking, our values, and our way of life lies a deep sense of gentleness and dignity unique to the Japanese spirit.

In this article, I’ll delve into the essence of “being Japanese” through the wisdom of Jomon and ancient times, and offer insights into how we can preserve and live out that essence in today’s world. No matter how distorted or selfish the world becomes, I have unwavering pride in who I am—as a severely disabled person and as a Japanese citizen.

2. Core of Jomon Culture: The Philosophy of Harmony and Cycles

The Jomon period lasted over 10,000 years. This alone is remarkable, but what’s even more notable is how peaceful their society was, with little evidence of warfare.

Life in Jomon and Unity with Nature

The Jomon people lived by hunting, gathering, and fishing, but they also formed settled communities. They treated nature with reverence and transformed their gratitude into rituals and art, seen in their pottery and figurines. Their philosophy—living in harmony with nature—is deeply embedded in their way of life.

Keywords of Jomon Culture: Coexistence, Prayer, Aesthetics

What we risk losing in modern life—an appreciation for inefficiency, beauty in what’s seemingly unnecessary—was deeply embedded in the Jomon aesthetic. If we relearn this way of seeing, we may find a way to correct our society’s imbalance.

3. Changes in the Yayoi Period and the Birth of Ancient Japan

The Yayoi period brought the spread of rice agriculture, drastically changing Japanese society.

The Rise of Farming and Social Hierarchy

Farming introduced surplus and created a need for control and management. The community structure began shifting toward hierarchy and organization. This inevitably brought inequality and power dynamics.

Kofun Period and Mythology as Ideological Foundation

Texts like the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki weren’t just mythologies—they were tools for national unification. Still, their emphasis on the coexistence of many gods reflected a tolerant, inclusive worldview—an enduring part of Japanese thought.

4. What Does It Mean to Be Japanese?

In today’s chaotic world, it’s time we revisit the question: What does it mean to be Japanese?

1. Reverence for Nature

The concept of “Yaoyorozu no Kami” (eight million gods) reflects how Japanese people have long revered nature itself. This mindset helped people coexist with frequent natural disasters.

2. Valuing Harmony

“Wa” (harmony) isn’t about superficial friendliness—it’s about striving to integrate different values and maintaining peace through empathy and restraint.

3. Appreciation of “Ma” (Space) and Emptiness

Unlike Western rationalism, Japanese culture treasures silence, pauses, and the space between. These give depth to communication and experience.

5. The Meaning of Being Japanese as a Person with a Severe Disability

When I became severely disabled later in life, I felt a loss of identity, struggling with my perceived lack of productivity. But when I encountered the Jomon philosophy and ancient Japanese values, I felt saved by the worldview that sees meaning in just existing.

The Value of “Uselessness”

There is no such thing as a useless existence in nature. Just as the wind blows, flowers bloom, and rivers flow, people have value simply by being. That is a fundamental principle in ancient Japanese thought.

Discovering Japanese-ness Through Disability

What moved me was not superficial politeness or customs, but the quiet gentleness of accepting weakness and being present without blame. That is the true virtue of Japanese-ness I’ve come to believe in.

I now embrace my identity—not with shame, but with pride as both a Japanese person and a person with a disability. Even if the world continues to spiral into ugliness and distortion, my resolve remains firm: this is how I live.

6. How to Live Without Losing Our “Japanese-ness”

In this turbulent age, how can we preserve our Japanese identity and live authentically? Here are some suggestions:

1. Reconnect with Nature

Step away from the urban rush. Find time to listen to the forest, the river, the sea—and rediscover that you are part of the natural world.

2. Respect the Silence Between Words

Choose empathy over argument. Silence isn’t a lack of response—it’s often the most respectful form of listening in Japanese communication.

3. Bring Prayer and Gratitude Back into Daily Life

Simple acts like saying “Itadakimasu” or joining hands in prayer are small yet powerful ways to stay connected to the spirit of harmony.

4. Embrace Diversity

Just as the Japanese pantheon includes gods of all kinds, embracing differences—rather than excluding them—is a cultural strength we can apply globally.

7. Conclusion | Passing Down the Culture of Kindness to the Future

Since becoming disabled, I’ve realized that what matters isn’t whether society deems you productive—it’s whether you’re accepted just as you are.

This was only possible because I was born in a country that fosters a culture of gentleness.

Looking into the wisdom of Jomon and ancient Japan is more than a historical exercise—it’s a way of reclaiming something essential that modern Japan, and perhaps all of us, have begun to forget.

If this blog can help even one person rediscover their pride in being Japanese or their reason for living, then I’ve succeeded.

Even if the world distorts further—

I will not waver.

As a Japanese.

As a person with a severe acquired disability.

I will live quietly, with pride.

And I hope this message awakens something in you as well.