The Serene Wisdom of “Letting the Water Carry it Away”

 

In Japan, an ancient idiom known as "to let the water carry it away" or "to wash away" embodies the concept of forgiving and forgetting, signifying the act of cleansing away past misfortunes without reproach. Its origins trace back to the traditional rice farming culture of the country. Rice cultivation was a communal effort in rural villages where people collectively managed the water supply to the rice paddies. During times when families faced insufficient labor for planting or harvesting rice, rural inhabitants would offer mutual assistance. Upholding a harmonious rural community depended on fostering a sense of "mutual respect." Even when conflicts arose within these villages, residents aimed for mutual compromise and reconciliation. This ethos forms the foundation of the "to let the water carry it away" expression, emphasizing the value of serene human relationships as a virtue.

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