Don’t you worry about a thing!
Omotenashi – the word was articulated with a charming smile and graceful gestures by TV announcer, Christel Takigawa, as the winning catchphrase in Japan’s bid for the 2020 Olympics.
Translated as Japanese-style hospitality, omotenashi implies the host will anticipate the guest’s every need, pay attention to detail, and make every effort to provide the guest with the most memorable experience.
To fully grasp the spirit of Omotenashi, it helps to understand the origin of the word. Omotenashi is said to have come from Sen no Rikyu’s Way of Tea. As the most prominent 16th-century tea master, he had a profound influence on the various Schools that followed. That impact went well beyond the Schools of Tea that ensued, for he was also the Tea Master for the powerful daimyo Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
In spite of his preeminence as Tea Master for some of Japan’s greatest historical figures, his approach was one of simplicity and sincerity. Giving each guest the perfect experience, no matter how much preparation and consideration that required, was the essence of his approach to the Tea Ceremony.
As these concepts began to influence high society, the role of the Japanese host came to be anticipating and caring for every need of the guest. The role of the guest has been to accept this hospitality in that spirit, with sincerity and appreciation of the intention.
Exploring this topic, the Nikkei Business Magazine surveyed foreigners in Japan on their experience of Japanese service and hospitality. While the majority of foreigners surveyed felt that in Japan these were superior to other nations’, apparently not all Japanese feel as enthusiastic as the Olympic committee about omotenashi. The Nikkei Business Magazine’s cover story, The Lie of Omotenashi, asserts that “One thing made clear from our survey is that the wholehearted looking after guests is not necessarily appreciated.” Clearly, the recent onslaught of tourists from the mounting popularity of Japan is testing some traditions.
Still, most Japanese hosts consider it a point of pride to provide omotenashi, especially when it comes to sharing Japanese cuisine, which is both delicious and aesthetically pleasing. As the host, a Japanese will generally expect to pick what he or she feels will create the best overall experience for the guest as an aspect of omotenashi consideration.
Some of the best sushi restaurants only offer an Omakase menu, which consists of the chef’s pick of the freshest fish available, with each prepared in the way he or she feels accentuates its flavor and texture. An omakase menu does not give the patron any choice, but the proud and creative effort of the chef reflects the omotenashi spirit and rarely, if ever, disappoints the diner.
On the flip side, you may think that having choices would make you happier. If so, it may surprise you to learn that numerous studies over the last several decades have shown that people in study groups who were given more choices were less happy in the short and long term than those with only one choice. Do you think Sen no Rikyu was onto something?
Japanese Phrase of the Month (using omotenashi)
