At Kushibiki Hachiman Shrine in Hachinohe, Aomori (photographed by the author)
In Japan, there has been a custom called "yaku-doshi" since the Heian period, although its specific origin is unknown. In this instance, the word yaku uses the character “厄”, which means bad or onerous, and doshi or toshi means “year of”. Therefore, it literally means a “Bad Year”. According to that tradition, or superstition if you want to call it that, this year is supposed to be an unlucky year for me. I don't see any reason to be pessimistic. I insinuate, without referring to other examples such as the commercialization of Valentine's Day by the collusion of the chocolate industry, that the word "yaku-doshi" might have been misinterpreted from its original intentions and needlessly abhorred. The explanation I heard from one source made the most sense. There is a theory that the yaku in "yaku-doshi" originally was “役”, a different character of same pronunciation, and this particular character means “a role.” One theory is that “yaku-doshi” refers to various turning points in a person's life when one begins to take on different and evolutionary roles in society or within the family. The first role in one's 20s is the age at which one is recognized as an adult, which is similar to today's coming-of-age ceremony. The second role, through one’s thirties and forties, suggests that the person will be recognized as a mature master of crafts or trades, and thus, ripe to take over the family business, start a household, or expand the family. The last, third role in the 60’s, is the age at which one was expected to retire and live out the rest of one's life in peace.
I am not sure if this time-scale can be applied to the present day, when society is filled with the rhetoric of "100 year life," but I envy those who are able to retire in their 60s! Anyhow, precisely because those moments are important milestones in one's life, one should take care of both physical and mental wellness. As such, I think it is a good idea to lightheartedly enjoy performing rituals such as “yaku-barai”, which means “to rid of evil”, at shrines and temples to pray for success and health. If we use our “yaku-doshi” as an excuse to avoid challenges, blame our failures, neglect to think, or look backward, we will never grow or learn. Instead, I think it best to go about as usual or as a good time to take on new challenges.
The reason why I am writing about the seemingly onerous “yaku-doshi” in this newsletter is not only because this is such a year for me, but also because I have an important announcement to make. I have been asked to become an associate professor-in-practice at a certain university starting in April. It is a great honor, but at the same time, it is the first time for me to have my own laboratory or seminar, and I am simultaneously very anxious and excited about this prospect. As a rootless "flaneur educator" having taught at several universities throughout Japan, I have gained valuable experience with a wide variety of teachers and students. While I will be diligent in my academic work at the new appointment, I am not interested in an old-fashioned academic cliquism, so I intend to continue searching and practicing a form of trans-institutional education with other universities and educational organizations in Japan and abroad. At the same time, I will continue to practice through B01, to progress forward in design, building, and cultivating projects.
“Yaku-tatazu”, which means role-less or use-less, is something I have strived to avoid becoming.
With your continued support and guidance, I myself and B01 intend to build on your strengths, deliver results, and grow the practice.
Thank you, always.
Author: Kaz T. Yoneda, FRSA
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Thank you for your time and kind attention.
Until next time!