Ryoso, Nao Blog

  Reading is, at its core, an act that demands a great deal of energy. Unlike videos or television that flow passively toward you, a story cannot move a single step forward unless you move your eyes deliberately, letter by letter, and conjure images within your mind. Yet it is precisely because reading requires this energy that I believe what you gain from it is equally great. In an age that clamors for time-efficiency and streamlining, my way of reading may run entirely counter to that current. But it is this very "inefficient process" that transforms a book from a mere bundle of information into wisdom that becomes part of your flesh and blood. Here, I'd like to share the reading practices I have made my own. 1. Embodied Reading (Shindoku) : Sharing in the Resonance of Pain What I treasure most is what I call shindoku — embodied reading. Rather than simply following the words, I project my own life—my past scars and present joys—onto the inner worlds of the character...

  There is a mysterious allure to jeans. Years ago, drawn to the beautiful fading of vintage denim, I intentionally bought "Heritage denim." I’ve spent years "fading" them—letting them age and mold to my body and the way I walk. As they change expression with every wear, they become more than just clothing; they are a partner, carving out time alongside me. Supporting this "joy of fading" is the craftsmanship of Kojima in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture. Known as the "birthplace of Japanese jeans," it is now revered as a holy land by denim enthusiasts worldwide. The advanced cutting and sewing techniques that once flourished here for school uniforms were, after the war, poured into a single pair of jeans. In this article, I’ll dive into the profound world of denim that captivated me, the "Big Three" brands of Kojima, and the overwhelming Japanese textile technology that supports them. The History of Japanese Jeans: A Story of Obses...

  The Manifestation of Green Shade The roaring spring gale — Watched in stillness as it departs, Yielding to a May breeze that brushes the cheek; A moment of clarity begins to dawn. Along the mountain path, the damp, heady fragrance of green rises, embracing the sun's warm blessing, The lustrous verdure pulses with spirit. Breathing in the overflowing breath, a quiet will awakens deep within — the clamoring world falls away, and the seeds of consciousness rise to fill me. The trees, who choose stillness over motion, Root themselves in silent thought; Not racing forward, but simply being — Awakening to the myriad worlds, all flowing from the deep river of consciousness. The themes of this poem are the changing seasons and the philosophy of Yogacara (Consciousness-Only). I find a special joy in the refreshing breeze of May; it carries with it the renewed energy of the trees. This led me to reflect on the contrast between the rooted stillness of trees and the restles...

  One-line comment: You want to escape — yet your feet won't move. Fifteen stories of awakening that let you glimpse the truth of life through the cracks of a stifling everyday existence. Basic Information Item Details 📖 Title Dubliners ✍️ Author James Joyce 🏷️ Genre Novel 📅 Year Published 1914 (UK / Ireland) ⏱️ Estimated Reading Time Approx. 5–7 hours (comprising 15 short stories, it is also ideal for reading one story at a time in spare moments) 📅 Date Finished April 10, 2026 ⭐ Rating ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) Summary A collection of fifteen short stories depicting the everyday lives of ordinary people in early twentieth-century Dublin — rendered with cold precision and quiet sensitivity. Joyce, who viewed the Dublin of his time as a "centre of paralysis," brings into sharp relief the lives of people bound by the conventions of Church, family, and politics — people who want to be free but cannot move. Written in plain prose, the coll...

  Just wandering into a Japanese convenience store or pharmacy, foreign visitors constantly find themselves reaching for something and thinking "what is this?" The shelves are packed with practical items that defy easy categorization: a plastic bag that does virtually everything, a sheet you stick to tired feet that eases the ache, a ballpoint pen whose ink disappears on demand, and a gel cushion that transports you somewhere else entirely the moment you sit down. All of these are perfectly ordinary to Japanese people — yet foreign visitors end up buying them in bulk to take home. The frequent reaction of "why does Japan have products that anticipate every possible inconvenience?" is a testament to Japan's distinctively meticulous spirit of craftsmanship. Here are five convenient items that travelers discover in Japan and become devoted to. 1. The All-Weather Parasol (Seiu Ken-yō) Japanese parasols have evolved far beyond "simple sun shade" — they are ...

    One-line comment: By shedding every social convention and superfluous attachment, Thoreau explored — in the depths of the Massachusetts woods — the essential meaning of human existence. An essay of spiritual adventure, unwavering in its aesthetic of self-reliance and simplicity. Basic Information Item Details 📖 Title Walden; or, Life in the Woods ✍️ Author Henry D. Thoreau 🏷️ Genre Essay 📅 Year Published 1854 (USA) ⏱️ Estimated Reading Time Approx. 8–10 hours 📅 Date Finished October 16, 2025 ⭐ Rating ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5) Summary In the mid-nineteenth century, the thinker Thoreau built a small cabin with his own hands on the shore of Walden Pond in Massachusetts and lived there alone for roughly two years. This book is the record of that experience — a sharp critique of a civilized society driven by excessive labor and material attachment. Within a life attuned to nature, Thoreau asks what human beings truly need . A timeless work of...

  Japanese dining etiquette is one of the areas that confuses foreign visitors most. If the person sitting next to you at a restaurant is slurping noodles with a audible zuzu sound (the Japanese onomatopoeia for slurping), that is not a breach of manners — it is perfectly acceptable. Lifting a bowl to eat from it is also considered a refined and entirely sensible gesture in Japan. At the same time, "hand-plating" — using your hand as a makeshift dish to catch drips — looks polite but is actually considered poor form, and there is a correct way to set down the lid of a soup bowl. The dining table is full of invisible rules that are easy to miss if no one tells you. Much of Japanese table etiquette runs directly counter to Western norms, and behind it lies a deep respect for vessels and a distinctly Japanese aesthetic of eating beautifully. Here are five Japanese table manners that will make your dining experience far more enjoyable simply by knowing them. 1. Slurping Noodles ...

  One-line comment: An aging butler who suppressed even his own emotions in pursuit of perfect "dignity" — devoting his entire life to a single master and his duties — quietly confronts his own past in the twilight of his years. A bittersweet and beautiful story of remembrance. Basic Information Item Details 📖 Title The Remains of the Day ✍️ Author Kazuo Ishiguro 🏷️ Genre Novel 📅 Year Published 1989 (UK) ⏱️ Estimated Reading Time Approx. 5–7 hours 📅 Date Finished April 23, 2025 ⭐ Rating ★★★★★ (5 out of 5) Summary In 1956, Stevens — an aging butler who has served a distinguished British nobleman all his life — sets out on a journey to visit a former colleague. Along the way, he recalls the glory days of the past, his devotion to a master he deeply admired, and the quiet stirrings of a love he never expressed. But behind his pride in having upheld the "dignity" of a butler with absolute perfection lies a bitter paradox: the ...

  Sushi and tempura are old news — what is truly surprising travelers today is what appears on the everyday Japanese table. A culture of eating raw eggs over rice, the peculiar stickiness and pungent aroma of natto, the mysteriously elastic chew of mochi, uniquely Japanese ingredients like whale and horse sashimi, and a culture of savoring cartilage and offal for their texture alone — all of it is perfectly ordinary to Japanese people, yet for a first-time visitor, it is one surprise after another. Understanding the "why" behind Japan's distinctive food culture will make every meal on your trip that much more rewarding. Even those already familiar with these foods are welcome to explore them afresh. 1. Eating Raw Eggs Tamago kake gohan — TKG — raw egg over rice, is one of the first food culture shocks foreign visitors encounter in Japan. Why it surprises people: In many countries, raw eggs are considered off-limits due to the risk of Salmonella infection, which can caus...