So Japanese

Kenson: Japan’s Favorite Way to Say ‘I Suck’ (Even When You Don’t)

Ryusuke & Jon Season 2 Episode 55

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 In this episode, we dive into Kenson (謙遜) — the Japanese art of humility. But what does it really mean to be humble in Japan? Is Kenson just being modest… or is it actually a kind of self-deprecation? 

 In this episode, we explore: 

  • What the heck is Kenson, really?
  • Is being humble in Japan just... polite self-hate?
  • Where did this whole mindset come from?
  • Can being too humble mess with your brain?
  • Why are Japanese artisans so damn good at pretending they’re not that good?
  • Ryusuke spills some real talk from his days in the world of shokunin
  • Plus: a gem of a story from Katsura Sunshine, the Canadian dude doing traditional  Japanese rakugo — and absolutely nailing it

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