4 ms·

Genuinely curious, why are Japanese people cutting things so often that this became a thing? All I own is one absolute garbage pair of scissors, and I use them

Genuinely curious, why are Japanese people cutting things so often that this became a thing? All I own is one absolute garbage pair of scissors, and I use them so rarely that it doesn’t really matter. I don’t think I’m an outlier, in the US.

impendia 7y ago
It's not an isolated example. There is a perfectionist streak in Japanese culture, which you can observe if you study any of their traditional arts (karate, tea ceremony, etc.) This shows up in the quality of some of their consumer goods. As another example, there was a Japanese chalk company (Hagoromo) which has unfortunately gone out of business, but which built up a fanatical following among mathematicians. I am a mathematician myself, and I found their chalk to be noticeably superior to anything which I'd previously tried.
- wlesieutre 7y ago
  A South Korean company bought some of Hagamoro's machines and is making chalk branded as "Hagamoro Fulltouch". I haven't used it but I've heard it's still good. http://en.sejongmall.co.kr/category/full-touch%ED%83%84%EC%82%B0%EB%B6%84%ED%95%84/48/ http://en.sejongmall.co.kr/category/full-touch%ED%83%84%EC%8...
  - impendia 7y ago
    Yes! It is. Happily, the buyers have (more or less) maintained the quality of the original.
derefr 7y ago
Individually-plastic-packaged fruit and veg in Japanese grocery stores’ produce sections might be one large difference in how many things some people might find themselves cutting through per day. Japan has never gotten on board with the whole “waste reduction” thing.
- magduf 7y ago
  No, but they're a lot better about recycling than America is. America doesn't even recycle much any more; we used to pack stuff up in containers and ship it back to China, but now China won't take it, so it's either being piled up, or landfilled. Japan actually recycles its own trash.
  - trnglina 7y ago
    From my understand, Japan pretty much only recycles anything that doesn't burn, which doesn't include the vast majority of the excessive amount of plastic packaging and plastic bags the country throws at you.
sonnyblarney 7y ago
Only speculating, but I suggest it may have even nothing to do with some specific industry (although paper seems to have a prominent role ...) - rather, an interest in artisanal quality. Consider that 'Sushi Chef' is not just some arbitrary post, like 'cook' - it's a status. An artisanal occupation. Not a very high status, but a status nonetheless. The chef can take immense pride in his tiny are of influence, his work is an extension of him. The clients praise (or distain) is 'personal'. So there's an expectation of quality, as a matter of dignity? I'm only speculating.

impendia 7y ago

It's not an isolated example. There is a perfectionist streak in Japanese culture, which you can observe if you study any of their traditional arts (karate, tea ceremony, etc.) This shows up in the quality of some of their consumer goods. As another example, there was a Japanese chalk company (Hagoromo) which has unfortunately gone out of business, but which built up a fanatical following among mathematicians. I am a mathematician myself, and I found their chalk to be noticeably superior to anything which I'd previously tried.

wlesieutre 7y ago
A South Korean company bought some of Hagamoro's machines and is making chalk branded as "Hagamoro Fulltouch". I haven't used it but I've heard it's still good. http://en.sejongmall.co.kr/category/full-touch%ED%83%84%EC%82%B0%EB%B6%84%ED%95%84/48/ http://en.sejongmall.co.kr/category/full-touch%ED%83%84%EC%8...
- impendia 7y ago
  Yes! It is. Happily, the buyers have (more or less) maintained the quality of the original.

derefr 7y ago

Individually-plastic-packaged fruit and veg in Japanese grocery stores’ produce sections might be one large difference in how many things some people might find themselves cutting through per day. Japan has never gotten on board with the whole “waste reduction” thing.

magduf 7y ago
No, but they're a lot better about recycling than America is. America doesn't even recycle much any more; we used to pack stuff up in containers and ship it back to China, but now China won't take it, so it's either being piled up, or landfilled. Japan actually recycles its own trash.
- trnglina 7y ago
  From my understand, Japan pretty much only recycles anything that doesn't burn, which doesn't include the vast majority of the excessive amount of plastic packaging and plastic bags the country throws at you.

sonnyblarney 7y ago

Only speculating, but I suggest it may have even nothing to do with some specific industry (although paper seems to have a prominent role ...) - rather, an interest in artisanal quality. Consider that 'Sushi Chef' is not just some arbitrary post, like 'cook' - it's a status. An artisanal occupation. Not a very high status, but a status nonetheless. The chef can take immense pride in his tiny are of influence, his work is an extension of him. The clients praise (or distain) is 'personal'. So there's an expectation of quality, as a matter of dignity? I'm only speculating.