Yamashita Tomohisa: 0409 Vol. 87
0409
Vol. 87 "Worldview"
How does Yamapi, who has been working in the unique environment of the entertainment industry since he was a kid, see the world? He told us of his experiences in America that changed his way of thinking and revamped his worldview.
I'm aware of how unique my job is, but as a child I didn't know any different. For one thing, there is no set schedule. I don't think it's very good for the human body, but I don't think about it much. It's become normal for me. As I've grown up, I've slowly realized the importance of watching what I say, and taking responsibility for it. Whenever you gain something, you must give up something as well. Just like to get better grades, you have to cut back on your free time. It's possible to learn things while you're having fun, but it's not very efficient to try to learn something when you're laughing with your friends. People who live in the middle of nature have to learn how to ride a horse and farmers have to learn how to raise crops. It's always necessary to make an effort, even within a job you like. Recently, I've made an effort to read more books. I pick up a lot more genres than before, such as suspense novels.
Every time I had previously been to America, I went to the most popular, cutting-edge cities like New York and LA, but when I traveled the small towns along Route 66, the acquaintances I made were such regular people. It's a lot like Japan, you know. People usually focus only on Tokyo, but there is a country lifestyle as well. Even in such a small country like Japan, there are differences in speech, food, and other things between Tokyo and other areas. I thought America would be different, but it's actually pretty much the same. The basic necessities for human life are eating, sleep, gathering food, and leaving descendants. The key to growing as a human being could be hidden within these basics.
During my trip, I spent time alone thinking seriously about what I should do at this point in my life. I think, 'I want to this and that, I have to do that!' but when I want to do too much, it becomes a source of stress, and it's impossible to achieve everything. For example, the cowboys I met on my trip wake up every morning, feed the horses and take care of the cows, and after that they spend important time with their families. They don't have a driving need to gain success in the workplace, or anything extra. It occurred to me that living simply could be really nice. If someday I were to quit my job, maybe I would become a farmer!? Being a cowboy looked fun too. (Laughs.) I also thought it was nice how a young son learns about work and life from his father. After meeting people who lived simply and happily, I decided I don't want to be a person who only values success. I still want to keep on fighting, but I think that it would be tough to continue fighting forever.
I still remember the talk I had with a cameraman on my trip. He told me that the way today's Japanese people value one day is different from the way people in other countries see it. What I thought was, back in the day people would live for around 50 years, right? But today people plan on living to at least 70. People living 150 years ago must have seen each day as a precious and meaningful span of time. The cameraman also told me that while it takes about a year for Japanese people to become good friends, there are countries where it only takes one day. I don't know which countries he meant, but he told me his experience. It's like, you go drinking with someone and talk about things, explain what kind of person you are, and if you get along, well, then you're friends! I guess there are countries where the people open their hearts to each other on a regular basis, something we as Japanese couldn't imagine. Even in our daily lives, we are often acting. Maybe some countries who aren't as advanced in medicine and hygienics, and have a shorter life span than Japan, are more apt to value friendship. It's really a waste to go on living without knowing that kind of world. I would like to become more open with my feelings. I don't know if it's right for Japan to suddenly be more open, but I don't want to let go of the idea just yet. If I meet someone I truly like, I'd like to be able to tell them how I feel. Life is completely different for someone who lives each day as if they might die the next, as compared to the person who expects to live until they're 70. Men my age living in the Edo Period [T/N: 17-19c] were much more grown up than I am, and they must have been ready to die at any time. That's why when you watch period dramas and they say things like "I'm prepared to die for you," there is real meaning to those words.
I want to see different facets of the world, and talk with many different people. Because of that, I don't want to get married for a while. There are things I want to know before I reach that point in my life. It wouldn't be fair to leave my wife at home. But it would be too dangerous to take her with me to wild places around the world. Yeah, I want to become a more adventurous person. (Laughs.)
[Seventeen, June 2012 / translation by amapi - Please credit if using/quoting]
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Scans provided by watchful21. Please visit her blog for the originals. Thank you for reading, and thank you for commenting.
Yamapi's worldview. Personally, I think it would be fun to go to different countries all over the world with your husband, especially if he were Yamapi!
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See you next month!
-Amanda