Hello. This is Yuko-sensei.
Today’s video is not a language lesson.
It's more about Japanese culture
and I also want to share with you what I have been feeling
since I started this YouTube channel.
And that is related to the culture that I want to talk about.
There is this concept or belief in my culture that I grew up with
which I really value, but
it’s quickly disappearing from modern Japan, unfortunately.
The belief is called “Kotodama" and it looks like
this in Kanji.
The first Kanji means “word,"
“speech" or “to say” and
the second Kanji means "spirit."
So, traditionally, Japanese people believed that
every word we utter has a spirit in it
and emits certain energy out there
and as a result, it affects our surroundings.
So, people used to be very careful and mindful
with what they say because
if you say something negative or hurtful,
it comes back to you.
Likewise, if you say something loving and kind,
it comes back to you too.
And I was thinking about this concept of
Kotodama when I was reading people’s comments on my YouTube channel.
By the way, thank you so much
for all of your comments
and I am very sorry that I cannot respond
back to every single one of them.
But I want you to know that I read all of
your comments and I'm very grateful
that you actually took the time, out of your busy life,
to leave me such a positive and supportive comment.
So, thank you so much.
Hontouni arigatoo gozaimasu.
Today I want to talk about Kotodama
and what I was worried or afraid
when I first started this YouTube channel.
From here, I’m going to speak in Japanese,
so you may want to turn the caption on for this video.
Please know that the English translation is not
going to be word-by-word, Ok?
It's going to be rather providing you
the general idea of what I am saying.
I will try to speak slowly so it may become a
good listening practice for you.
If you want to know exactly what I'm saying in Japanese,
you can download the script of this video,
only the Japanese part,
on my website. You can find all the information
down below.
Dewa, hajimemashou! (Let's begin!)
First of all, thank you for watching my YouTube videos.
I think I started this YouTube channel
about 3 years ago, but
at first, I was a little scared.
The reason is that, on the internet, everyone is anonymous.
We can't see people’s faces.
And when the faces are invisible,
sometimes there are people who say hurtful things.
On this YouTube too, sometimes
I see terrible comments that criticize others.
Therefore, when I started the channel,
I imagined I would receive many such terrible comments.
However, what I felt after doing YouTube for about 3 years
is that everyone who leaves comments on my channel
is very kind.
Most of the comments are
very positive, such as "the lesson was fun"
or "it was easy to understand."
To be honest, I am a little surprised.
But, I am very happy.
I receive so many comments every day, so
I can’t respond to all of them, but
I am always very grateful.
Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all.
Thank you so much for leaving heart-warming comments!
From ancient time, there is a notion called "Kotodama" in Japanese culture.
This is the idea that the words that you utter
have a spirit (or soul).
So if you speak kind words,
it will affect your environment.
And it goes around and one day
returns to you as it is.
It is the same even if you utter terrible words.
I strongly believe in this concept
of “Kotodama.”
Therefore, I am very careful with
the words I utter.
The same is true when I leave a comment somewhere on the Internet.
I don't know if your culture has a concept like
"Kotodama", but
I felt that most people who leave
comments on my channel
know the power of positive language.
I wanted to express my gratitude and respect for it,
so today I made this video.
Kind words make people happy, right?
If you speak kind words to someone,
that person will be happy, and
next time he or she may speak to someone kindly.
That way, if a chain of kind words occurs,
this world may become a little happier place.
At least I believe so.
So here is a suggestion.
Today, why don't we say “thank you” to someone?
It can be your father, mother, friends,
or
even a stranger who opened the door for you.
The gratitude that you feel inside your heart.
Why don't we convey that in words?
That means you have emitted a good "Kotodama" energy.
And it means that you made someone happy, and
made this world
a little happier place.
When you say “thank you” to someone,
your own heart will surely feel the happiness as well.
Today’s video was “Thank you” from me to you, and
about one suggestion.
I hope you enjoyed my small talk
in Japanese today
I think I spoke for about 5 minutes?
It might be a little too long for some of you
but anyway,
Thank you for being part of my channel,
Smile Nihongo Academy,
and for watching my lessons.
Please know that I’m always grateful for your support.
The new course, Japanese 5
is finally going to open for enrollments
next week or week after that.
So if you are already my student,
you are the first one who gets notified. Ok?
If you are not my student yet,
you can join my free mini-course
and that puts you on my email list.
When I open a new course,
that is the cheapest time to get that course
so please do not miss it.
Dewa, mata tsugi no lesson de aimashou! (See you in the next lesson!)