Gaman - to bear difficulties in silence

 

Gaman is a Japanese concept that emphasizes patience, endurance, and the ability to bear hardship without publicly showing pain or frustration. It is a virtue deeply rooted in Japanese culture, often manifesting as stoic resilience in the face of adversity. The term "gaman" signifies both mental and emotional endurance, aimed at maintaining calm and dignity, even in the most challenging circumstances.

 

A perfect example of gaman in practice is Japan's response to the earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku in 2011. Faced with a massive disaster that devastated a large part of the country, the Japanese united to persistently and quietly work on reconstruction without undue fanfare. Their ability to maintain calm, organize rescue operations, and rebuild without outbursts of anger or despair was a global symbol of gaman.

 

Contemporary Japanese society still values gaman, viewing this trait as key to maintaining social harmony and personal dignity. It is also considered an essential element in child rearing, teaching children to cope with emotions in a way that does not disturb the peace of others. Gaman also fosters hard work and determination, which are valued both in education and the workplace.

 

However, gaman also has its dark sides, especially in the context of contemporary social and health challenges. Excessive reliance on gaman can lead to the silencing of important health or social issues, as people may feel pressured not to complain or to seek help. This, in turn, can lead to stress, professional burnout, and other negative mental health outcomes.

 

Understanding gaman and its impact on life in Japan allows a better grasp of how this culture copes with difficulties, while highlighting the need for a balance between endurance and openness to expressing and solving problems. How Japan will continue to interpret and adapt gaman in the face of contemporary challenges remains crucial for the future health and well-being of society.

 

 

 

Etymology of the word "Gaman"

 

The word "gaman" is composed of the kanji characters 我慢, where 我 means "I" or "self," and 慢 can be translated as "endure" or "suffer." Together, these two characters communicate the idea of enduring hardships with dignity and patience, reflecting a deeply rooted cultural value in Japan that promotes inner strength and resilience.

 

The first recorded use of the term "gaman" can be found in Japan's historical literature, particularly in stories about samurai, which emphasize their endurance and patience. An example is "Hagakure" (葉隠れ) by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, written in the early 18th century, which describes gaman as a necessary trait of a samurai, enabling him to maintain calm and honor in the face of death or defeat. Another significant text, "Bushidō: The Soul of Japan" by Inazō Nitobe from 1900, also refers to gaman, presenting it as a key element of bushidō, the samurai code. In these works, gaman is portrayed as a virtue that allows samurai to cope with emotional and physical difficulties while maintaining dignity and mental balance.

 

Gaman is often associated with other Japanese cultural concepts that refer to coping with the inevitable hardships of life. For example, shikata ga nai (仕方がない), which literally means "nothing can be done about it," describes accepting a situation over which one has no control. It is an expression of resignation to an unchangeable situation, but also an acceptance of reality as it is. Another related term is mono no aware (物の哀れ), which translates as "the pathos of things" – a melancholic awareness of the transience of all things, leading to greater appreciation of their fleeting beauty. These concepts coexist with gaman, creating a unique mosaic of the Japanese way of perceiving and interacting with the world, emphasizing both resignation and deep emotional sensitivity to life's variability.

 

 

 

What exactly is the concept of Gaman and how to live according to it?

 

Gaman refers to endurance, patience, and the ability to bear difficulties without publicly showing pain or frustration. It is a value cherished both in personal and social contexts, reflecting a philosophy of unflappable endurance of adversity that has a long history in Japan, weaving into various aspects of daily life as well as philosophy.

 

 

Understanding Gaman – Through Literature

 

In practice, gaman is not just about enduring suffering in silence; it also involves maintaining dignity and control over one's emotions in the face of difficulties. In Japanese philosophy, heavily influenced by Buddhism and Shintoism, gaman also has a spiritual dimension, suggesting that through mastery and endurance, an individual can achieve a deeper state of inner peace and harmony.

 

One of the classic works discussing gaman is "Hagakure" by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a text from the early 18th century directed at samurai. The author emphasizes that a true samurai should be able to endure any physical and emotional pain without showing his feelings, which was a key element of samurai discipline and honor. Similar values can be found in "Bushido: The Soul of Japan" by Inazō Nitobe, which describes gaman as a virtue that allows samurai and other Japanese to cope with life's challenges.

 

Another classic work of Japanese literature that discusses the concept of gaman is "Budō Shoshinshu" (武道初心集 – literally "A Collection of Initial Learning for the Martial Way") by Daidōji Yūzan. Written in the 17th century, this work serves as a practical guide for young samurai, teaching them the principles and ethics of bushidō.

 

In "Budō Shoshinshu", Daidōji Yūzan focuses on many aspects of a samurai's life and behavior, including the necessity of maintaining calm and a stoic posture in the face of difficulties, which is closely related to gaman. He emphasizes the need for endurance and self-control, which are integral elements of gaman.

 

Yūzan advises samurai to avoid unnecessary complaints and maintain dignity, especially in difficult situations. He emphasizes that a samurai should be not only a warrior on the battlefield but also a wise and patient person in everyday life. Yūzan's guidance reflects a deep understanding of the value of gaman as a way of living according to the principles of bushidō, highlighting its significance in shaping the character and behavior of the samurai.

"Budō Shoshinshu" is therefore a valuable source for understanding how gaman was taught and conveyed to young samurai as an element of their training and personal development in Japanese culture.

 

 

 

Understanding Gaman – Through Contemporary Life

 

Gaman is applied in many aspects of Japanese daily life, from education to professional work and family life. In schools, students are encouraged to show gaman through perseverance in learning and respect for teachers, even if the material is difficult or demanding. Such an attitude is seen as preparation for adult life, where gaman is valuable in maintaining harmony in the workplace and society.

 

 

Gaman in the Workplace

 

In the workplace, gaman manifests through hard work, long working hours, and often by sacrificing personal time for the good of the company. An example might be the behavior of employees during corporate crises, where they are expected to continue their tasks without complaints, despite, for example, temporary (or permanent) salary cuts while increasing the demands of working hours. Enduring this without showing even a hint of dissatisfaction is seen as a sign of professionalism and loyalty.

 

While the positive aspects of the gaman idea, such as professionalism and loyalty, are valued, there are also serious negative effects of this approach. For instance, the culture of overtime, often seen as proof of dedication to the company, leads to the phenomenon known as "karoshi," or death from overwork. Moreover, the phenomenon of working 14~16 hours a day for life, even if it does not end in death, is in itself, at least from our European perspective, a crime against oneself. Aside from "wasting" an entire life for work on behalf of some organization (like a corporation), since we're writing about health consequences: in many cases, employees, trying not to show weakness or fatigue, continue working to the point of extreme exhaustion, which can lead to serious health problems, and even death (refer to the article about karoshi: Japanese work culture).

 

 

Gaman in Individual Psychology

 

Additionally, the expectation that young adults will continue working in the gaman mode often contributes to delays or abandonment of starting a family, which supports the phenomenon of so-called "parasite singles" – adults who still live with their parents and delay taking full independence. This situation is one of the factors contributing to demographic problems in Japan, where the birth rate is one of the lowest in the world, leading to the aging of the society and associated very grim forecasts for the future of this nation.

 

On an individual level, the constant pressure to "endure" and not show one's true feelings can lead to the phenomenon known as "hikikomori," where individuals, usually young, completely withdraw from social life and spend months or even years isolating themselves in their homes. Others may opt for so-called "jouhatsu," or "disappearing," abandoning their duties and previous life to escape unbearable pressure. Both situations are extreme examples of how excessive expectations combined with the ideals of a strong and "enduring everything" wise person (gaman) can lead to serious negative consequences for mental health and social functioning of individuals.

 

 

Gaman – Individualism vs. Social Harmony

 

Philosophically, gaman reflects the deeply ingrained Japanese idea of endurance and patience, valued as means to achieve greater good and social harmony. However, in a modern context where individualism is gaining significance, gaman may be perceived as an outdated and restrictive doctrine. Younger generations of Japanese, increasingly influenced by Western values that promote emotional openness and individual rights, may feel a conflict between traditional expectations and modern aspirations for self-expression and personal happiness. Will the concept of gaman evolve in a way that allows a balance between respect for tradition and the needs of modern individuality?

 

 

Stoicism – European Gaman?

 

Issues arising from the colloquial understanding of gaman, such as excessive suppression of emotions or overburdening with duties, often lead to deeper reflections on the true meaning of this concept. In a more fundamental sense, gaman does not necessarily mean suffering in silence but rather finding internal strength to handle adversity with dignity. In this regard, gaman shares much with the European philosophy of Stoicism, especially as presented by Roman Stoics like Marcus Aurelius.

 

Stoicism, like gaman, emphasizes self-control but also understanding and acceptance of the external world as it is. Stoics, including Marcus Aurelius in his "Meditations," taught that it is not events themselves that upset us, but our judgments about them. Stoicism teaches that we should focus our efforts on what is within our power—our responses and decisions—while external circumstances, though often challenging, should not have the power to determine our inner peace.

 

Similarly, a deeper understanding of gaman in Japanese culture points to the ability to endure difficulties not as passive suffering but as an active and conscious choice of internal strength and peace. And, like many things in life that are worth pursuing, this trait is not just a one-time "conscious choice," but rather a skill that requires years of conscious training. It is a state in which a person not only "endures" difficult circumstances but also uses them as an opportunity for personal growth and developing virtue, which essentially is a rational, as objective as possible, view of oneself and the world. Thus, gaman, like European Stoicism, becomes not so much about restricting or not showing emotions, but rather about transforming them in order to achieve greater harmony and self-understanding.

 

Stoicism and gaman, despite originating from different cultural traditions, share a fundamental vision of human resilience and the power of the mind. Both philosophies encourage developing inner endurance in the face of external challenges, recognizing that true wisdom and peace come from a deep understanding and acceptance of the nature of reality. Both concepts offer a path that does not ignore suffering but transforms it into something of value, both on a personal and societal level.

 

Such an understanding of both Stoicism and gaman offers a new perspective on life, where challenges are seen not as obstacles but as integral elements of the path to wisdom. This approach not only reduces suffering but also enriches human life with a deeper meaning and purpose, teaching us how to live with dignity and calm in all circumstances.

 

 

 

Gaman in Contemporary Japanese Culture

 

 

Anime

 

Gaman as a theme appears in many contemporary Japanese works, where it is often portrayed in the context of coping with life's adversities. One such example is the manga and anime "March Comes in Like a Lion" (3-gatsu no Lion), created by Chica Umino, which debuted in 2007. The series tells the story of Rei Kiriyama, a young professional shogi player who struggles with emotional and social challenges following the death of his family. Gaman is a key element of his character, as Rei must learn to cope with his loneliness and trauma, while striving not to show weakness outwardly, metaphorically illustrated through his battles in the game and personal life.

 

 

Film

 

Another example is the film "Departures" (おくりびと, Okuribito), directed by Yōjirō Takita in 2008, which won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The film tells the story of Daigo Kobayashi, a young cellist who, after his orchestra is disbanded, returns to his hometown and begins work at a funeral home. Gaman in this context illustrates his inner journey of accepting life and death, and how these experiences translate into his personal transformation and growth.

 

The film "An" (あん) (also known as "Sweet Bean") - Directed by Naomi Kawase in 2015. This film tells the story of Sentaro, a man who runs a small stall selling dorayaki (Japanese sweet pancakes). His life changes when he meets an older woman, Tokue, who teaches him how to make an (sweet red bean paste), which is a key ingredient of dorayaki. Tokue, despite her difficult life and past, exhibits gaman through her patient and methodical approach to life and work. The film delicately shows how gaman can lead to breaking personal barriers and finding new meaning in life through teaching others and sharing one's skills.

 

 

Education

 

In the Japanese education system and motivational training, gaman often appears as a key element in building character and resilience. For example, in Japanese schools, gaman is promoted through various ceremonies and practices, such as seiza no gakko, where students learn to sit in the seiza position (on their knees) for long periods, aimed at teaching them discipline and endurance.

 

In a professional context, gaman is also an essential element in corporate training, especially in training for young employees. For instance, in companies like Toyota, newly hired employees may undergo rigorous training designed to teach them how to persevere and maintain a positive attitude, even in the most demanding circumstances. These types of training aim not only to impart technical skills but also to instill values like gaman, which are considered essential for achieving long-term success in work and life. But about the role of gaman in corporations, we have already written…

 

 

 

Summary

 

Gaman is a key element that shapes Japanese culture and national identity. One might think that it is simply a value promoting endurance, but in reality, it is much more complex and affects various aspects of life from family to the workplace. Japan's history, from the era of the samurai to contemporary social and economic challenges, shows how the concept of gaman has helped society survive and adapt to changing conditions. In tough times, from natural disasters to financial crises, gaman has served as a coping mechanism, enabling Japanese society to maintain calm and good organization.

 

Faced with globalization and the growing influence of Western values on younger generations, the future of gaman in Japanese society becomes a subject of intense debate. On one hand, gaman may be seen as a barrier to emotional openness and may contribute to health issues, such as depression or burnout. On the other hand, in an era that increasingly values quick fixes and immediate gratification, gaman offers an alternative perspective, emphasizing the value of patience, endurance, and long-term thinking.

 

Technological development and social changes may require a new interpretation of gaman, balancing traditional values with the needs of modern society. For example, in business and technology, where the pace of innovation is fast, gaman might be reinterpreted not as discouraging change but as encouraging a methodical and thoughtful approach to problems and challenges.

 

Thus, although gaman may seem anachronistic, its deep roots and potential flexibility make it a value that can still play a crucial role in Japan's future. This ability to evolve and adapt, while maintaining key elements of cultural identity, may be decisive in how Japan copes in an increasingly smaller world.

 

 

 

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