July 1st 2025
Introduction
I hadn’t walked much for a few weeks. Various things happening, so I didn’t have the energy for it. On the internet, the #getoutside messaging is understandable but not always useful. What about the rest of the time? When you need to be indoors with a book, a film, music, or for rest?
Then I did walk, and the effect was remarkable. Specifically, I was in the woods, and it was like bathing in healing energy. We know this theoretically, and in Japan they call it shinrin-yoku. Feeling it is another matter, although as a reminder not a discovery.
In this Footnotes I’ll mention the mountains and jazz of Japan. With walking ideas, the Zen aesthetic of my photograph, and the thoughts of a walker about body and mind. He has an interesting blog.
Jazz Kissa
I bought my first I Ching and Tao Te Ching as an undergraduate, and still have them. From a wholefood shop with a small selection of books and a café. I had little money and would stay there a long time, reading the books, and no one bothered me.
This seems appropriate: “The name of our shop comes from the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” On a noticeboard in that shop I saw an advert for a Tai Chi demonstration, which I later learned. I had several teachers.
It’s Japan however which interests me as a cultural experience. They have names for enjoying cherry blossom and autumn colours, enacted with walks and picnics. I saw this a few months ago. A small group under a tree with a blanket and food. Not a cherry tree, but a japonica covered in pink. Perhaps they missed the Sakura of home.
Apart from philosophy I don’t read Chinese books (although I remember this from some years ago) but Murakami and Ishiguro are Japanese favourites.
Japanese cities are, like those writers, a blend of tradition and Western influence. That wasn’t straightforward after Hiroshima when black rain fell from the sky. But the fun of it was irresistible which included jazz. It’s very popular in Japan.
Jazz Kissa means a Jazz Cafe where you sit and listen. The audio systems are high end which few of us have because of expense. Speakers, amplifiers, turntables, two or three thousand for each. In spring you could walk around cherry blossom parks then visit the Jazz Kissa.
My musical taste is more Monk, Charlie Parker, Dolphy, Coltrane, Jarrett, Komeda, Texier, Tapscott, Battaglia, Charles Lloyd and contemporaries like William Parker and Matthew Halsall. But I’d enjoy a cafe like this.
There are listening cafes in Europe, and the US, but they are not the same. The difference is subtle and philosophical. How interesting: the Zen sensibility of Japan to enjoy the Western jazz sound.
Here’s more information about Jazz Kissa. Japanese jazz is a genre in itself with good music to discover.
Zen Photography
The Zen aesthetic is described as less is more. That’s a vague remark, often repeated, which can be explained. This form of art, or a photograph, investigates the possibility of emptiness, or space, and what that means. If you find my photograph restful, you are tuning into it.
In China this corresponds to the principle of yin, as expounded by Lao Tsu. In Japanese culture it’s explained with the concept of ma or negative space. In Japanese homes they find a recess or alcove they call tokonoma which they decorate with changing seasonal art.
Notice the simple parts of a landscape not just the big view. You see it with a long lens or, as with my Peak District photograph, the details of rock and pool with a pale suggestive beyond.
I started with black and white film photography so I’m attuned to this aesthetic. I often think, is a shot better reduced to shadow, light, and shape. It’s a style I like which is easier to understand as art.
If you want to learn about the cultural practice of Zen, start here.
Featured Words
This is a thoughtful and reflective piece as he advances in years, but it’s true regardless. “Life becomes about keeping mind and body in balance” and there is, and I also disagree with it, a “war on the existence of beauty.” “What’s your song” he asks, which includes walking the hills.
Denying beauty is a big subject and recognised sociologically. When it occurs, it degrades society. The same applies with the recognition of nature. If you enjoy it, you care about it.
Featured Walks
I’ve only driven through the Duddon Valley, stopped for photographs, enjoyed the views, but not walked there. It’s quiet and modest, with small hills only, but I’m forming a plan because it’s a lovely area and this is a good walk.
Overseas, the Japanese Alps are rarely mentioned for walking. Perhaps they don’t justify a long trip but look interesting if you were ever in Japan. The Cicerone book suggests the same.
Conclusion
I don’t know if the modern reality of Japan is more nature connected than ours. The terminology and practices they have might be interesting but not pondered by the majority.
It’s worth some reflection, as an example of how language structures thinking. If you have a word for describing the misty appearance of blossom from a distance, you will see it and think it: the word is hanagasumi. The English is descriptive, but the Japanese word is poetic.