The Profound Truth Behind Japanese Presence- Why Every Movement Beautiful

When Japan opened its borders during the Meiji Restoration, Western culture fundamentally reshaped our way of being. We forgot our native mastery of the body, how we breathe, stand, and move. Today, millions of global travelers visit Japan for traditional arts like the tea ceremony or kintsugi. Sadly, most experiences remain superficial, leaving behind only a beautiful surface with nothing inside. Why? Because they lack the essential foundation, the traditional use of the body. I refuse to let this DNA die. That is why, today, we welcome Serika-san, one of the rare few who has lived every single day embodying traditional Japanese alignment since childhood. She is here to teach us something far beyond rigid forms. She will show us how to use these beautiful movements in our everyday lives. Serika-san, is there a big difference in the way you use your body between the Japanese of today and the Japanese of the past? Yes, I think there is a big difference. The Japanese of today and the Japanese of the past are from the Edo period. The difference between the Japanese of today and the Japanese of the past is the way they run and the way they sleep. The chairs, sofas, and beds were not originally from Japan. They were imported from the West. So, the way they live has changed, and the way they use their bodies has also changed. Yes, I think so. Of course, there are many other differences. For example, when you are an elementary school student, for some reason, you have to carry a randosel to go to school. I don't think it's a good idea to wear a randosel. When you wear a randosel, you can't take it off. So, when you try to walk in a straight posture, you can't take it off. You can't take it off. You have to bring your shoulders forward so that you don't take it off. So, when you go to school, you have to study in this posture. That's why you can't take it off. You can't take it off. So, it's hard for you to stand straight and sit straight. So, you think you're more nervous when you're standing straight? Yes, I think so. I think I'm more nervous when I'm standing straight. I think that's the fundamental difference. In the past, Japanese people had a strong sense of body. So, I was relaxed before I was always in a state of being strong. So, I was more focused on training than muscle strength. It's not a strict feeling, it's a feeling of passing through. Yes, it is. What is Tanden? Could you tell us about the Tanden? There is a little pot called Tanden. And the bottom of your belly button is about 3 cm deep. And the back of your belly button is about 7-7 cm deep. and try to put your strength into it. At the same time, close the hole in your buttocks. I see. Yes. If you do this, you will be able to feel the force. This is the state where the force is in. For example, if you wear a kimono, you will naturally have this posture. Of course, we are not used to it. Because we are not used to this muscle, it will be like this over time. On the other hand, if you have been wearing a kimono for a long time, this posture is more comfortable and less tiring. I really think so. I see. This posture is more comfortable. You are still conscious of it. Yes. If you don't put your strength into it, you won't be able to maintain it. That's right. That's what I think. If you do this, it will be easier for you to breathe naturally. That's right. Many people nowadays have a shallow breathing. They breathe around here. Because they are conscious of other things, their breathing becomes shallow. However, those who are conscious of meditation will be able to breathe naturally and deeply. Don't you think so? Yes, I do. I feel like I'm born with a little freedom of mind. That's right. It's strange, but I feel like I'm born with a little space here because I'm conscious of nothing but meditation. I totally understand. I feel like I'm breathing using this space. I see. When you inhale and exhale, you can breathe. First, exhale. Then, inhale. I see. It's totally different. When you breathe, your blood circulates. Oxygen also circulates. But nowadays, your breathing is shallow. I think that's why you can't fully circulate. In my daily life, I often have a shallow breathing. But now I'm conscious of it. The more I'm conscious of it, the more I feel like I'm shallow. Then, I can breathe again. I'm conscious of my posture and breathing. You can be conscious of yourself just by practicing meditation. That's right. It's easy to go back to your daily life. I see. It's easy to go back to your daily life. That's right. How can I be conscious of it? In my daily life, when I feel tired, when my shoulders feel heavy, when my head feels dull, when I feel tired, I'm usually shallow. I see. My posture is also distorted. So, I try to be conscious of it. I try to be conscious of it. Just a little. I'm conscious of my posture. I feel like I'm away from it. I feel like I can go back to my daily life. It's strange. I found out about this because my principal told me about this when I was in elementary school. I see. I still remember the situation. When I was in elementary school, all the students were standing on the ground and practicing meditation. There was a table. The principal was standing on it and talking with a microphone. He told me to put strength in my stomach. He didn't give me a detailed explanation. He told me to put strength in my stomach and close the holes in my buttocks. Those two holes. Then, he told me to say hello. I see. When I was in elementary school, I actually tried it. I was like, oh, I see. Then, I forgot about it. But, one day, I remembered it and practiced it. Then, I felt that it was easier. It's the experience of falling down. It's the atmosphere of energy and aura. It's the atmosphere. The way you perceive things changes. What you read and receive also changes. The way you hear. Even if someone says the same thing, the way you hear also changes. That's how important it is. That's what I think. I've been in the clothing industry for 20 years. I used to wear kimono until then. When I got a job for the first time, I entered the world of kimono. I worked with people who wore kimono. I learned a lot from my seniors who wore beautiful kimono. I learned how to stand and sit in a beautiful posture. I learned it objectively. I learned how to stand and sit in a beautiful posture. The way you stand and sit is beautiful. I learned that it's a state where one of your lumbar vertebrae is in a state of alignment. There was a common point. I could see the difference at a glance. I understand what you're trying to say. I see. When you talk about awareness of Tanden, I feel like the way Japanese people breathe has changed a lot. Also, I feel like the way they stand and sit has changed a lot too. That's true. If I were to talk about the past, if I were to talk about the past, first of all, Tanden is Tanden. The head is pulled from above with a thin thread that you can't see. It feels like it's being pulled up from above. I see. The head is pulled up and the stomach is closed. The feet are like... There are fingers on the feet. The fingers are firmly grasping the ground. They are in a state where they are conscious of grasping the ground. There are many people who have a center of gravity on their heels and behind them. The center of gravity is in front of them. That's right. For example, world-renowned opera singers, dancers, and people in Japan as well, the first-class people look forward. The first-class people look forward. The first-class people tend to put their energy forward. They tend to look forward. They are in a state of circulation. They have a feeling that their feelings reach them. I see. That's the first-class people. The second-class people are in a state where they have a center of gravity behind them. It's easy for them to accept it. But it's hard for them to release their energy behind them. That's true. When I compare the two, I can see the difference. I see. Just by being conscious of the fact that you are being pulled up, do you feel your hips tighten naturally? That's right. I feel everything is connected. I feel like a tube is passing through me. It's the same when you sit down. You sit down and your pelvis is up. Nowadays, people sit with their buttocks in front of them and their back behind them. Their buttocks are in front of them. Their buttocks are in front of them more than their chest. In a way, it's comfortable to sit like this on a sofa. But it's not straight. It looks like you can relax. This is how you relax now. That's right. Lean back a little bit. Your buttocks should be tight. Yes. Your buttocks should be tight. When I compare the two, I can see the difference. Your buttocks should be tight. Your pelvis is up. It's up. Be conscious of the fact that you are being pulled up. Tighten your buttocks. Then, your buttocks will be straight. This is how you relax. I think your back and chest are open now. You are not used to using this technique. At first, it may hurt and you may get tired. But, if you are trying this every day, your posture will be better. That's amazing. You can breathe easily. I'm doing this with each part of my body in mind. It's like a puzzle. I'm doing this with each part of my body in mind. I can reach the end of it naturally. That's why I can relax the most. I have another question. I often see Japanese people bowing. You are right. That's amazing. Thank you. When I see Japanese people bowing, I think they do it now as well. For example, they say good morning or good bye. But, it's like a distance between people. Actually, I'm close to you now. I see. We are shooting now. There is a personal space. I think everyone has it. We walk along the line. We know what we are doing. We are physically apart. But, there is something like a balloon. When we bump into it, we stop. You are right. We recognize each other in that state. We greet each other. We don't say good morning to each other. We greet each other. We recognize each other. We greet each other. For example, we moved to a near place. We don't know what to do. We might have trouble. We might be noisy. We greet each other. We bring something to each other. We put something white inside. We draw water. We draw a picture. We wrap it in a plastic bag and give it to each other. It's wonderful. It's the same when we get married and when we break up. We meet each other on the street. We meet each other by chance. Even though we meet each other by chance, we recognize each other. We care about each other. I think it's unique in Japan. It's not only in Japan. We care about each other. We respect each other. I think it's one of the cultures in Japan. Thank you, Serika-san. Thank you. I think I heard an important story. Did you? Yes. Many foreigners came to Japan. They learned about the good things about Japan and came back. But many people want to experience more deeply. There are things you can't put into words, but you don't know what they are. There are many experiences in Sado and Ikebana. There are a lot of experiences. But it's not just a superficial experience. What's at the foundation is meditation, breathing, standing, sitting, and consciousness. It's the space where you are born. It's the background of greetings. How do you do it? This is the foundation. I think that's why all the experiences in Japan are getting deeper. I think it's simple at first glance. It's easy to practice, but it changes a lot. It's good to experience tea and be gorgeous. It's simple at first glance, but it's the foundation of Japanese DNA. I want many people to know this. I'm glad to hear such a good story today. I think so, too. I sometimes do Okitsuki for Japanese and foreigners. Before doing Okitsuki, I tell them how to stand and breathe. I always tell them how to stand and breathe. In that state, your eyes change. When you stand properly and breathe, it's OK. That's why I do Okitsuki. I explain why I chose this kimono to you. I explain the material and the technique. I do Okitsuki. When you do Okitsuki, you will be more beautiful. You will be more satisfied with the experience of the day. I can see that you are very satisfied. Yes, I am. I want you to feel the deep beauty of Japan. Thank you. The ancient Japanese people did not overthink or chase efficiency. Instead, they listened to their bodies, creating a beautiful harmony between the mind and the physical self. I believe all of our traditional culture was built upon this balance. By learning this original Japanese way of breathing and posture, you can take your very first step to truly understand Japan. And you can start practicing it in your everyday life right now. Whether you are waiting for a train, driving, or having a meal, just bring your awareness back to your body for a moment. This simple habit will surely make both your mind and body feel lighter and more free.