Art
Growing old and the 'secret Japanese art' of gratitude – MarketWatch
Iza Kavedzija calls it an “attitude of gratitude.”
That’s what struck the anthropology and aging expert after she spent years interviewing the elderly and super-elderly in the Japanese city of Osaka, and trying to understand why they seemed so happy.
Kavedzija, a professor at Exeter University in England, interviewed elderly Osakans over more than a decade. She has just published Making Meaningful Lives: Tales from an Aging Japan.
Time and again, she found, Osakans in their 70s, 80s and 90s would express gratitude while describing their life stories. “I am grateful (arigatai),” they would say, with a meaningful, thoughtful pause just before using the phrase.
“Many of my interview recordings, I later came to realize, captured the same space of silence before an expression of gratitude,” Dr. Kavedzija writes in the latest edition of the journal Aging & Anthropology.
It’s a racing certainty that in the years ahead those of us in the West are going to be turning Horace Greeley on his head and “looking East, old man.” Japan is the oldest society in the world. Yet somehow it is doing more than a few things right when it comes to caring for the elderly.
(In the past year, for example, Japan has managed to suffer a death rate from COVID that is, so far, a staggering 93% below that of Germany and 96% below that of the United States.)
Where Japan has trod, other countries will follow. The number of over-65s in America has nearly doubled in 20 years. By 2035 we are expected to have more senior citizens than minors, for the first time in history.
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In Japan, economists have been worried about the growing number of elderly who are at economic risk from an “increasingly threadbare safety net,” Kavedzija reports. Yet studies have found that many of the elderly there are in better psychological shape than economists might have predicted. Among the reasons: Faith in the future, social connections, and this “attitude of gratitude.” Many of the people she interviewed were reluctant to say they were “satisfied” with life, because it might sound like bragging. Instead they would say “I am grateful.”
“This gratitude was not merely a transitory emotion, but rather a more consistent and enduring attitude towards the world,” she reports. “Thanks are giving when eating or receiving food, even if the food is consumed alone, bought and prepared by yourself,” she adds.
We await the next Marie Kondo to turn this wisdom to a simple self-help book that sells millions. (If the insight, ‘You have way too much junk. Throw most of it out,’ can be turned into a book, why not ‘To be happier when you’re old, be grateful’?)
Kavedzija’s findings add to the growing body of evidence that feeling gratitude is good for us in multiple ways. Researchers have even found that the results of gratitude, and keeping a “gratitude journal,” show up in heart health and on functional MRI scans of brain activity.
What are the keys to keeping a gratitude journal and reaping the benefits? Experts connected to the University of California at Berkeley offer nine tips. Among the key tricks: Spend about 15 minutes on your journal each time, write one to three times a week, and list about five things for which you’re grateful.
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And it adds a crucial piece of advice familiar to anyone who’s studied the ancient Stoics: “Consider what your life would be like without certain people or things, rather than just tallying up all the good stuff,” it says. “Be grateful for the negative outcomes you avoided…try not to take that good fortune for granted.”
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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone BBC.com
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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