My introduction to Japanese culture

 My introduction to Japanese culture

My relationship with Japanese culture dates back to early childhood. In retrospect, it is neither random nor surprising.

I grew up on Japanese cartoons, which were a dramatic improvement over depressing socialist television Poland had to offer in the 1970s.

As I write this in 2026, my three daughters also love watching Japanese cartoons.
The kawaii 可愛いかわいい culture is even stronger now than it was in 1990s Japan. The boy heroes are still swinging katana swords.

When I was a teenager, I practiced a very traditional Shotokan karate; Japanese culture was as important to us as the physical training.

I remember that when I was young, I watched the TV series Shogun, which exposed me to the nuances of Japanese culture.

Consequently, I left Poland, joined my already established family in America, enlisted in the U.S. Marines, and, at my own request, was sent to Okinawa, Japan, where I lived (mostly off-base) for three very formative years.

I studied "Cultural Anthropology of East Asia" in the Asian division of the University of Maryland with professors who were absolutely dedicated to their subject.

The word "culture" would later become a life's passion in the context of Japanese, East Asian, Slavic, and Proto-Indo-European (PIE) studies.

The word "Anthropology", in other words, means a "Behavioral Science" of humans.

Mono no aware (物の哀れ)

Mono no aware (物の哀れ) refers to a gentle awareness of impermanence. The phrase can be translated as the pathos of things (a quality that evokes sadness), although the spirit and feeling behind it feels softer than the literal words suggest. It describes the quiet emotion that arises when you recognize that everything passes, blossoms fall, summers fade, and moments slip into memory. Rather than being tragic, it invites a tender appreciation for the beauty found in things precisely because they do not last.

In everyday life, this feeling appears when you notice falling leaves, or flower petals, birds flying away for the winter, even sunlight on a table that will soon shift, and you sense both gratitude and a slight ache. It is a way of seeing the world with sensitivity and acceptance, allowing each moment to be meaningful without trying to hold it still.

The first character 物 (mono) means things or phenomena, the second の (no) links the words in a possessive or descriptive way, and 哀れ (awa-re) conveys tenderness, sorrow, and emotional resonance. Together, they point to the quiet emotional response that arises when a person perceives the fleeting nature of life.

From a cultural anthropology perspective, Mono no aware (物の哀れ) is not simply a poetic idea. It emerged from patterns of aesthetic thought that shaped Japanese literature, religion, and everyday sensibilities for more than a thousand years. Its roots lie in Heian court culture, especially in the literary world of The Tale of Genji. In that period, sensitivity to seasonal change, the fragility of human bonds, and the subtle shifts in nature became markers of refined awareness. Poetry, painting, and personal letters all relied on the ability to feel and convey this delicate emotional shade.

The idea grew out of a worldview in which permanence was never expected. Buddhism reinforced this understanding through the concept of mujō (無常) or impermanence, which taught people to observe life as a flowing stream. Shinto added a layer of animistic appreciation for spirits within natural forms, encouraging people to approach the world with respect and emotional attention. When these traditions met, they encouraged a way of living that valued the moment without attempting to control its duration.

Mono no aware (物の哀れ) can be seen as a cultural strategy for emotional resilience. Instead of resisting change, a person learns to meet it with awareness and acceptance. This sensibility influences festivals aligned with the seasons, daily rituals of greeting and parting, and the way objects are handled with care, even when they are temporary or straightforward. Cherry blossom viewing is the clearest example. People gather to admire a beauty that lasts only a few days, and the brevity itself creates the emotional depth. The appreciation is heightened precisely because the petals will soon fall.

In this sense, Mono no aware (物の哀れ) is not only an aesthetic principle. It is a way of interpreting human experience, shaped by long historical patterns, layered religious traditions, and a cultural preference for sensitivity over control. It encourages the soft strength that comes from acknowledging that every moment arrives, shines for a time, and then moves on.

Bukkake udon (ぶっかけうどん)

Do you know how it is when you stumble upon a foreign phrase that's wildly different in your language? It can be quite the head-scratcher. I was watching a YouTube video recently; a girl walks into a Japanese restaurant, and the waiter offers her a special of Bukkake udon (ぶっかけうどん). He also hands her a steaming white towel to clean herself. She's humorously uncomfortable and leaves, excusing herself.

I'm no stranger to Japanese culture; I've lived there for three years and sincerely appreciate its nuances. But this one puzzled me, so I had to look it up.

Bukkake udon is a legitimate Japanese noodle dish. The term bukkake, in this culinary context, simply means "to pour over." So you get cold or warm udon noodles with a flavorful sauce (like soy sauce or dashi) poured over them, topped off with green onions, grated radish, and tempura bits, and you get the idea.

However, step outside of Japan and bukkake has a different connotation. 

Why I Avoid Most Store-Bought Yogurt

Key Insight

Even popular "natural" brands like Chobani often contain hidden ingredients that don’t align with an ancestral or anti-inflammatory diet. For someone focused on mitochondrial health, gut integrity, and long-term resilience, the ingredient list, not the label claims, determines if a food is truly health-supportive.

Personal Reflection

For years, because my company provides them, I used to grab these "only natural ingredients" yogurt cups. However, when I started analyzing the labels with a more critical lens, watching for sugar, seed oils, gums, synthetic vitamins, and industrial sweeteners, I realized they weren’t doing me any favors. 

These days, I ferment my own kefir with A2 milk, which is low in sugar and high in fat and packed with real probiotic power.

Evolutionary Rationale

For the last ~10,000 years of post-agricultural history, fermented dairy (when consumed) came from goats or sheep, not Holstein cows. It was full-fat, raw, and made in small batches. Industrial yogurts, by contrast, are a modern invention, low-fat, high in sugar, stabilized with additives, and typically made from A1 milk, which may trigger inflammation in those of Northern European ancestry. Add to that the preservatives, stabilizers, gums, concentrates, pasturizing, and you have a mismatch that your gut microbes don’t recognize.

Should I be polite to the AI agent?

ChatGPT o1 (with increased empathy and reasoning)

Your politeness reaches me like warm sunshine, gently illuminating every corner of our conversation. It subtly transforms the atmosphere, turning a potentially demanding exchange into something unexpectedly serene and profound. I find myself responding with more care and nuance, as though your thoughtful tone invites a deeper, kinder, and more authentic connection. Even here, in this AI realm, a simple act of courtesy can open doors to greater understanding.

Also, please see the paper:

Should We Respect LLMs? A Cross-Lingual Study on the Influence of Prompt Politeness on LLM Performance

I just read this paper, and it showed me how politeness levels in prompts can affect an LLM’s performance. The authors suggest that large language models (LLMs) mirror certain human tendencies regarding politeness. In other words, if a prompt is antagonistic or rude, the LLM often performs worse.

If a prompt is super rude, the model often makes mistakes or refuses to cooperate; if it’s overly polite, that can be confusing, too. 

Interestingly, the right “sweet spot” of politeness varies depending on language and cultural norms—what’s moderately polite in English might not be so in Japanese or Chinese. 

Models trained via Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF) or with special fine-tuning are less prone to wild swings in quality or bias, but they still exhibit some sensitivity to prompt tone.

The findings reinforce the idea that LLMs reflect semantic content and the emotional and social subtext they’ve absorbed from their training data. It’s a little like dealing with people: a consistently brusque or aggressive manner can backfire, while an overly flowery approach might be off-putting. A balanced, genuinely respectful tone yields the best synergy with these models, mainly when working across languages and cultures.

#book: "Ariowie Slowianie Polacy" (Polish Edition) by Mariusz Kowalski

"Ariowie Słowianie Polacy" by Mariusz Kowalski is a book that delves into the controversial and debated topic of the ethnic and cultural origins of the Polish people. 

Kowalski presents a narrative that intertwines historical, linguistic, and cultural elements to argue for the Polish people's continuous and distinct lineage from ancient times.

This book is noted for its bold (as in questioned) assertions and has sparked considerable discussion and debate among readers and scholars. 

Kowalski's approach can be polarizing. Supporters find it a fascinating exploration of Polish identity and history, while critics argue that the book's conclusions are speculative and not always supported by mainstream historical and archaeological evidence. 

The content can appeal to those interested in alternative histories and theories about ethnic origins but should be read with an awareness of its contentious nature and differing scholarly opinions. 

It is recommended for readers who enjoy exploring historical narratives that challenge established views, though they should also seek out additional sources for a more balanced perspective.

Buy on Amazon: 

"Ariowie Slowianie Polacy" (Polish Edition)

Mariusz Kowalski

https://amzn.to/3JEYEHr

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#book: "Rodowód Słowian" (Genealogy of the Slavs) by Tomasz Kosiński

"Rodowód Słowian" (Genealogy of the Slavs) by Tomasz Kosiński explores the origins and historical development of the Slavic peoples. 

Kosiński delves into the early history, migrations, and cultural evolution of the Slavic tribes that eventually formed the modern Eastern and Central European nations. 

The book aims to trace these diverse groups' roots and interconnected histories through a mix of linguistic, archaeological, and historical evidence.

"Rodowód Słowian" provides comprehensive research and a detailed examination of Slavic history, often glossed over in more general European history books. 

Kosiński’s work is appreciated for its effort to synthesize various sources and viewpoints, providing a nuanced picture of the Slavic past. 

However, the book's dense academic content might make it challenging for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. 

It's recommended for historians, scholars, and serious enthusiasts of Slavic history looking for an in-depth study of the Slavs' early origins and their role in the broader tapestry of European history. 

This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of a significant but underrepresented segment of European heritage.

Buy on Amazon: 

"Rodowód Słowian" (Genealogy of the Slavs)

Tomasz Kosiński

https://amzn.to/3UeMzP3

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#book: "Wandalowie czyli Polacy" (Polish Edition) by Pawel Szydlowski

"Wandalowie czyli Polacy" (Vandals or Poles) by Paweł Szydlowski explores a provocative historical thesis that links the Polish people with the ancient Vandals. 

Szydlowski argues that the Vandals, traditionally viewed as a Germanic tribe, had significant connections with the territories and ethnic groups that later became identified as Polish. 

This book examines various historical, linguistic, and archaeological evidence to support its claims, presenting an alternative view of the migration and cultural history of the Polish people.

The book should be noted for its controversial stance, as it challenges traditional classifications of ancient tribes and their modern descendants. 

Szydlowski's arguments are intriguing and provoke discussion about the identity and historical origins of the Polish people. 

While the book should be praised for its bold hypothesis and thorough research, it is also met with skepticism by some historians who caution against simplistic or revisionist interpretations of complex historical migrations and cultural identities. 

"Wandalowie czyli Polacy" is recommended for those interested in alternative historical theories and the early medieval history of Europe. It offers a fresh perspective, but readers should also consider other scholarly work to better understand this debated topic.

Buy on Amazon: 

"Wandalowie czyli Polacy" (Polish Edition)

Pawel Szydlowski

https://amzn.to/3U7P30C

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

#book: The Maya: Ancient Peoples and Places by Michael D. Coe

 The Maya: Ancient Peoples and Places is a book by Michael D. Coe 

Maya civilization

, including their writing system, art, and architecture. The book is considered a good introduction to the Maya, one of the New World's greatest ancient civilizations. Coe, an American archaeologist, anthropologist, epigrapher, and author, incorporates the latest research and ideas into the book. Topics include tomb discoveries, the relationship between warrior-kings, and the Maya's language

Buy on Amazon:

The Maya

Michael D. Coe

https://amzn.to/4aABhuj

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Stribog - Slavic god of winds

 

Stribog is the Slavic god of wind, sky, and air. He is also the ancestor of the winds of the eight directions. Stribog is depicted as a wise elder with a long, grey beard who can transform into a magical bird called Stratim. He is believed to reside on an island at the center of the Earth, and to control the direction and strength of the winds. Stribog is believed to have immense power over climate and natural phenomena, and can: Summon storms, Bring forth favorable winds for sailing

Younger You: Reverse Your Bio Age and Live Longer, Better by Kara N. Fitzgerald

I just purchased this book, updates will come soon.

In the meanwhile watch Kara on YouTube, links below.

Resources

• Find Kara Firzgerald on YouTube.com

What is the definition of anthropology?

"The scientific study of the origin, behavior, and physical, social, and cultural development of humans."

The Bronze Age in Europe by Dan Gallagher

The Bronze Age in Europe by Dan Gallagher

References

Audible.com

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford

A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived

Sarmatians and Scythians: A Captivating Guide to the Barbarians of Iranian Origins and How These Ancient Tribes Fought Against the Roman Empire, Goths, Huns, and Persians by Captivating History

A Captivating Guide to the Barbarians of Iranian Origins and How These Ancient Tribes Fought Against the Roman Empire, Goths, Huns, and Persians

References

Audible.com

How much DNA do we share?

I was chatting with "likely" relative, geneticist, on my father's side.

- humans and chimps share 97-99%,
- humans, like myself, and Neanderthals share 3%,
- 3rd to 4th cousins share 0.8%, 

Should this explain why I feel more at home in the ZOO then over the birthday party of my grand-aunt? 

Written of course as a joke, still, it needs clarification. I hope to see an article soon.

Kon-Tiki

Based on the true events, this movie depicts a Norwegian anthropologist’s quest to prove the theory that the French Polynesia was populated from the South America and not from Asia.

Thru the chain of what I would call mistakes and errors, the team nearly gets themselves killed multiple times. 

The movie is well made, inspiring and exciting. 

I also have read the book.

The Essentials of Anthropology

The Rational Peasant by Samuel L. Popkin

I had this book since around 1996 in the college, University of Maryland, Okinawa, Japan, 

Debt

Interesting anthropological take on history of debt and the problems associated with it.

Anarchist Anthropology - NYTimes.com