Japanese Sense of Delicacy Creates Service Spirit and Cleanliness
The unique aesthetic sense of the Japanese can be found in many delicacies seen in our daily lives. For instance, when you enter many Japanese restaurants, you will be welcomed by beautiful interiors adorned with various things taken from nature such as stepping stones through a passage or a rock placed elegantly in a corner. And, as many rooms will be separated by traditional Japanese fusuma (papered sliding doors) and shoji (paper) screens with flowers beautifully arranged in alcoves or along walls, you will feel a sense of warmth.
Your food will then likely be served by a smiling kimono-clad waitress, through whom guests will be able to notice her sense of elegance and grace. When quality Japanese cuisine is served, each item of food is arranged with color taken into consideration, and placed on a beautiful plate. Cuisine in itself is an art form in Japan. In addition to this visual feast, the Japanese-styled interior and very thoughtful waitresses add up to create a unique and beautiful harmony.
The sense of delicacy necessary to create such as aesthetic sense is also seen in service in Japan. For instance, barbers. Barbers offer a very attentive service which often includes everything from scalp washing to massage. Their service has become well-known among foreigners in Japan. The Japanese sense of delicacy also appears in cleanliness. Japanese take baths every day and wash their hands upon returning home as a matter of course.
Where does this delicate sense come from? This aspect of Japanese character is generally presumed to have come from the fact that Japanese are a mono-cultural, agriculture-based island race that seeks harmony among people and between people and nature.