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May 8, 2020
Serialized Essays | #ijichiman's Musings: Special Edition
Thoughts on the Coronavirus Pandemic
“It is wrong to insist solely on the safety of the body and ignore the life and death of the soul and spirit” (Yukio Mishima) — In this series, Yasutake Ijichi, a board member of Sunshine Juice, Japan’s first cold-pressed juice specialty store, delves into the human, earthy content of the city, which stands in stark contrast to the ultimate healthiness of Sunshine Juice, exploring its history, changes, customs, and culture. The 21st installment is a special edition, prompted by the self-restraint from going out due to the novel coronavirus.
Photographs and Text by IJICHI Yasutake
Cherishing a Quiet, Monotonous Life While Incorporating Moderate Stimulation
The British philosopher Bertrand Russell stated in his "The Conquest of Happiness"—
“A certain capacity for enduring boredom is essential for a happy life.”
The coronavirus pandemic, a natural disaster beyond human comprehension, has forced us into an unprecedentedly quiet life. With the declaration of a state of emergency, facilities and stores were asked to close, and people were urged to refrain from going out. What I think now is that the ordinary life we considered monotonous was, in fact, always filled with "stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure."
“A certain capacity for enduring boredom is essential for a happy life.”
The coronavirus pandemic, a natural disaster beyond human comprehension, has forced us into an unprecedentedly quiet life. With the declaration of a state of emergency, facilities and stores were asked to close, and people were urged to refrain from going out. What I think now is that the ordinary life we considered monotonous was, in fact, always filled with "stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure."
Rock-za
For example, someone who avoids excessive salt and sugar in their daily diet can enjoy the flavors of natural ingredients and dashi. They can also find junk food to be stimulating when they occasionally indulge. However, for those accustomed to junk food, their taste buds become dulled, making it harder to perceive the flavors of ingredients and dashi, leading them to crave even more intensely salty and sugary junk food. This is akin to a drug addict who, the more they use, the more they crave stronger drugs.
Delicious food, fine wine, parties, live music, festivals, comedy, sex, gambling, various shows. Our daily lives were constantly seeking something new, craving new encounters, and saturated with new stimuli. Consequently, content that became ephemeral consumables was produced one after another, and the consumption cycle accelerated. Along with this, people's senses naturally became numb. Of course, I am no exception.
Shanghai Xiaochi
However, I do not necessarily believe that these forms of "stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure" are inherently bad. Rather, I believe they are essential elements for a healthy life. As Russell also said, "Certain good things are only possible in a certain degree of monotony," the key is the "quantity."
I want to incorporate "stimulation" moderately into a quiet, steady, and monotonous life. This stimulation can be obtained by meeting various people outdoors, or there are different kinds of stimulation to be found indoors if one stays home. It is sufficient to obtain it according to one's situation; the "type" or "quality" of stimulation is not the issue.
Conversely, it is best to be thoroughly particular about the "quality" of stimulation.
If there is a need or necessity to stay home, one can enjoy reading books, watching movies, or playing games to their heart's content, as there are plenty of diversions. Outdoors, whether in silence or in noise, one can enjoy the moment and exhilaratingly celebrate the accumulation of fleeting experiences while savoring the atmosphere of the place.
If there is a need or necessity to stay home, one can enjoy reading books, watching movies, or playing games to their heart's content, as there are plenty of diversions. Outdoors, whether in silence or in noise, one can enjoy the moment and exhilaratingly celebrate the accumulation of fleeting experiences while savoring the atmosphere of the place.
Kinraku
Therefore, like many people, I want to go to places where I can experience the "stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure" unique to the outdoors once this situation subsides.
I want to drink chaotically at "Shanghai Xiaochi" in Kabukicho and laugh heartily at the impersonation show at "Sokkurikan Kissa," eat meat boisterously with close friends at "Kinraku" in Asakusa, and enjoy the sensual stage at "Rock-za." There are many places I want to go, but I also want to get excited with unknown youngsters at the Fuchu "Tokyo Racecourse" on weekends and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime encounters with unknown old-timers at "Daitei."
I want to drink chaotically at "Shanghai Xiaochi" in Kabukicho and laugh heartily at the impersonation show at "Sokkurikan Kissa," eat meat boisterously with close friends at "Kinraku" in Asakusa, and enjoy the sensual stage at "Rock-za." There are many places I want to go, but I also want to get excited with unknown youngsters at the Fuchu "Tokyo Racecourse" on weekends and enjoy once-in-a-lifetime encounters with unknown old-timers at "Daitei."
Fuchu
It goes without saying that horse racing is arguably the only sport and entertainment that can be enjoyed during the coronavirus pandemic. This is because a portion of the sales is paid to the government as a national treasury disbursement, and is utilized for the promotion of livestock and social welfare. In fiscal year 2018, approximately 300 billion yen was paid. Furthermore, with many people finding it difficult to go out and accumulating stress, its social significance as the only outlet for stress relief is being noted. However, currently, races are held without spectators. I believe that watching at the racetrack is the true essence of horse racing.
Fundamentally, I continue to justify horse racing as a supreme game that involves cognitive abilities, in its aspect of predicting the winning horse as a gamble. It utilizes concepts from mathematics such as "combinations" and "factorization," and requires the application of business concepts like "budget allocation" and "break-even point." It is just right for cultivating sufficient logical thinking skills for adults to navigate life.
And then, this is combined with the entertainment aspect: "the animalistic scent released," "polished, graceful bodies," and "the power of horses galloping past at 60 km/h." For national races like the Arima Kinen or the Tokyo Yushun, over 100,000 people gather for a race that lasts barely three minutes. When the starting fanfare sounds, those 100,000 people erupt in collective excitement, sharing joy and sorrow. Professional baseball draws 50,000, and soccer 80,000. In Japan, horse racing is the only sport entertainment that gathers over 100,000 people, so I want to cheer loudly at the venue.
And then, this is combined with the entertainment aspect: "the animalistic scent released," "polished, graceful bodies," and "the power of horses galloping past at 60 km/h." For national races like the Arima Kinen or the Tokyo Yushun, over 100,000 people gather for a race that lasts barely three minutes. When the starting fanfare sounds, those 100,000 people erupt in collective excitement, sharing joy and sorrow. Professional baseball draws 50,000, and soccer 80,000. In Japan, horse racing is the only sport entertainment that gathers over 100,000 people, so I want to cheer loudly at the venue.
And after enjoying the horses, I want to savor the afterglow. At Daitei on Kokusai-dori street near Fuchu Station, post-race analysis sessions are held at each table. With oden and tonchan-yaki as snacks, we drink and lament our reflections and regrets. And when comforted by the crisp and friendly staff, we find ourselves reminiscing about memorable scenes and races with fellow patrons, getting thoroughly drunk. Then, forgetting our reflections and regrets, we repeat the same thing the following week.
Daitei
A life filled with constant stimulation, or a life with absolutely no stimulation, is not healthy. If we want to be healthy not only in body but also in spirit, we need to incorporate an appropriate amount of "stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure" into our lives. However, more crucial than that is to cherish the quiet life that repeats itself day after day. "Stimulation," "excitement," and "pleasure" must not threaten the monotony of daily life.
Finally, here is another quote from Russell.
“A happy life is, for the most part, a quiet life, because it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy can live.”
Finally, here is another quote from Russell.
“A happy life is, for the most part, a quiet life, because it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy can live.”
Shanghai Xiaochi
Address: 1-3-10 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3232-5909
Sokkurikan Kissa
Address: Isamiya Bldg. 8F, 3-17-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3341-0213
Kinraku
Address: 1-15-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3844-3357
Asakusa Rock-za
Address: 2-10-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3844-0693
Tokyo Racecourse
Address: 1-1 Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
TEL: 042-363-3141
Daitei
Address: 1-10 Miyanishi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
TEL: 042-368-4761
Address: 1-3-10 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3232-5909
Sokkurikan Kissa
Address: Isamiya Bldg. 8F, 3-17-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3341-0213
Kinraku
Address: 1-15-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3844-3357
Asakusa Rock-za
Address: 2-10-2 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
TEL: 03-3844-0693
Tokyo Racecourse
Address: 1-1 Hiyoshi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
TEL: 042-363-3141
Daitei
Address: 1-10 Miyanishi-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo
TEL: 042-368-4761
IJICHI Yasutake
Vice President, Sunshine Juice Inc.
Born in Tokyo in 1982. While at Keio University, he was involved in planning and producing receptions and parties for major brands at an event company. He then transferred to a PR company, where he engaged in planning and management of marketing, communication, and branding from a PR perspective. He resigned at the age of 30. With his representative, a friend since junior high school for over 20 years, he founded Sunshine Juice, Japan's first cold-pressed juice specialty store, and currently holds his position. His favorite foods are fugu and soft-shelled turtle. His favorite sports are baseball and horse racing. His favorite places are pure coffee shops and popular taverns.
Instagram:ijichiman
Vice President, Sunshine Juice Inc.
Born in Tokyo in 1982. While at Keio University, he was involved in planning and producing receptions and parties for major brands at an event company. He then transferred to a PR company, where he engaged in planning and management of marketing, communication, and branding from a PR perspective. He resigned at the age of 30. With his representative, a friend since junior high school for over 20 years, he founded Sunshine Juice, Japan's first cold-pressed juice specialty store, and currently holds his position. His favorite foods are fugu and soft-shelled turtle. His favorite sports are baseball and horse racing. His favorite places are pure coffee shops and popular taverns.
Instagram:ijichiman