Omotenashi – Japanese Hospitality and Education

From an early age, the Japanese strive to have education and hospitality as a philosophy of life, a habit rooted in Japanese culture and society, and this culture is called Omotenashi.

In today’s article, we will talk about this Japanese hospitality that impresses people from all over the world. We will examine and understand all the meanings behind the word omotenashi.

Meaning of Omotenashi

Omotenashi is a quite popular expression that can be translated as hospitality in Japanese, but its meanings and concept go far beyond that. It refers to education, politeness, harmony, and peace.

The expression Omotenashi is written “[お持て成し] or [御持て成し]” which can be literally translated as hospitality, reception, treatment, service, and entertainment. In addition to these meanings, this expression indicates “doing everything possible.”

Let’s examine the meaning of each ideogram:

• 御 – honorific of educated, humble, honored;
• 持て – Verb meaning to be able, endure, receive;
  • Ideogram – To hold, to have;
• 成し – Verb – to realize, to finish, to fulfill, to be able, to build;
  • 成 – Ideogram – to transform, to grow, to become;

The origin of omotenashi

The origin of this expression is quite unknown; some claim it originated from the expression motenasu [持て成す] which uses the same ideograms but means “to entertain and welcome.” Others claim that nashi [無し] implies a Hospitality without Superficiality.

According to some ancient records, the phrase mono wo motte nashitogeru [モノを持って成し遂げる] gave rise to omotenashi as it is used today. This phrase translated means “to accomplish with things,” which makes no sense in Portuguese.

But philosophically, it means that we should receive the visitor or customer in the best possible way, without ulterior motives and with a pure heart.

The word mono in Japanese means thing, but in this phrase, it was written exactly in katakana to refer not only to literal things but also to invisible things like feelings.

The Japanese are taught from childhood to take care of one another and to act with etiquette, hospitality, and education. A large part of Japanese etiquette originates from the formal rituals of tea ceremonies and martial arts.

Delicacy and compassion were central values of bushido (the way of the warrior), the ethical code of the samurai. Today, the concept of omotenashi is mainly adopted in business management.

What is involved in Omotenashi?

Omotenashi involves treating your guest, client, or close one in the best possible way. It is like the golden rule that says “Treat others as you would like to be treated.” And all of this without expecting anything in return or with ulterior motives.

All this hospitality is done without fanfare and with great discretion, in a silent, delicate, and subtle manner. It is a feeling that involves humility, honesty, friendship, and love.

Although Japan has problems with social classes, in omotenashi there is no distinction between host and guest, or attendant and client; both are treated equally, with mutual respect.

It involves helping with a smile, empathy, and kindness from the heart. It is because of this kindness that Japan has the reputation of being the most polite country in the world. Even if it seems impossible for everyone to practice omotenashi, it is worth remembering that Kindness attracts Kindness! Sometimes even the mafia practices omotenashi.

Omotenashi also involves positive thinking; the person does not focus on the defects or problems of others, does not try to meddle in others’ lives, does not think of things like revenge, nor does they try to argue and create disputes.

A person who wants to have a humble, honest, and hospitable lifestyle must avoid thinking and focusing on negative things, clear their mind, and see only positive things. Since it is impossible to act and treat everyone well, knowing that everyone has defects, flaws, and imperfections.

Unfortunately, some follow omotenashi more out of discipline than out of education. Some companies and stores have written and precise rules describing how the host should attend and behave in front of the customer.

True omotenashi involves treating people well without needing rules; of course, they are vital to teach and root education and hospitality in people, especially in children.

Examples of Omotenashi

Below we will see some aspects of Japan and its culture that show Omotenashi:

• Using surgical masks to avoid infecting others;
• Gifting neighbors with soap boxes before starting construction;
• The practice of bowing and using keigo;
• Apologizing for anything, even when not at fault;
• Japanese do not accept tips.
• Cleanliness, not littering in the streets;
• Punctuality, including public transport;
• Trying to help even when not capable;
• Finding a wallet and taking it to the police;
• Taxi doors opening by themselves;
• The toilet seat lifts by itself;
• Signage made in a cute way and sometimes apologizing;
• Children cleaning schools;
• Knocking ash from cigarettes into the hand and putting it in the pocket;
• Accessibility for the disabled in Japan;
• The art and appearance of Japanese cuisine;

Of course, not everything is perfect, not all people are the same, which means that not all Japanese practice this philosophy and lifestyle.

Understand that everything is relative and that there will always be good and bad people anywhere; think about this before commenting nonsense. What matters is for each one to do their part and practice omotenashi.

I hope you enjoyed the article. If you liked it, share and leave your comments. Do you know another point that serves as an example to show the culture of omotenashi?