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This account of a Japanese lady's floral story will astonish you
The writer’s chance encounter with a Japanese florist transforms her image of women from that country.
It was tough for me to believe, when I read in Japan Times and Time Magazine, that most Japanese women quit their jobs as soon as they get engaged, get married or become a mother. They don’t pursue their career further but stick to their traditional role of raising their children and taking care of their homes. These women who are equally educated as their male counterparts, end up giving up their career after marriage. The question that kept lingering on my mind was – whether this choice was their own or was it forced on them?
During my stay in Kobe this summer, my inquisitive mind got the better of me and I decided to find the answer to my question. I knocked the door of my gorgeous 52-year-old Japanese neighbour who is the owner of ‘Floral Story’, a flower arrangement school and has a popular Japanese blog for the past twelve years.
Before asking the question I had on my mind, I requested my neighbour, Mrs. Yoshiko Nakajima, to talk about her life’s journey. She said, “ Now, I am staying alone in our bungalow as my daughter is pursuing her higher education in Tokyo and my husband is working and living in Himeji and visits me in Kobe only on weekends.”
I was not surprised when she said, “I had to quit my job as an office girl when my daughter was born. I wanted to take care of her.” Then, I quickly grabbed the opportunity to ask my question, to which she replied,“It was my choice to quit my job because I wanted to enjoy motherhood.” She added that she had wanted to be with her daughter and still be financially independent. She had always been a creative person since childhood, so she decided to indulge in her hobby.
She had always been fond of flowers, so during her free time she started taking a keen interest in her hobby – flower arrangement. She decided to take a basic five-year foundation course in flower arrangement and she practiced daily at home while taking care of her daughter. She smiled and said, “My fridge was always full of flowers at that time. Flowers gave meaning to my life.” She strongly believes that exchanging flowers means exchanging love.
With her husband’s support, at the age of 39, she decided to follow her dream and finally started her flower arrangement school from her home in Kobe. She said, “In Japan, husbands wants their wives to work if she is keen on working. They help their wife to pursue their hobbies or work.”
Her statement took me aback; it was contrary to my notion, as I believed that husbands and the society don’t support working women in Japan. She then explained that it is the woman who takes the first step in fulfilling her dream.
Her statement took me aback; it was contrary to my notion, as I believed that husbands and the society don’t support working women in Japan. She then explained that it is the woman who takes the first step in fulfilling her dream. Then the husband supported and offered a helping hand. In her case, she was really fortunate and was proud of her husband as he had stood by her.
She pointed out that without any domestic help, she artistically managed housework and her flower school. An early riser by nature, she enjoyed working out and believed in eating healthy food. She loved to be in sync with nature. After winning so many awards, she was still studying to improve her skills.
In a country that has one of the highest gender inequality rates in the world and where child day care centres are lacking, this lady, who was raised by parents who are farmers, managed to strive.
In a country that has one of the highest gender inequality rates in the world and where child day care centres are lacking, this lady, who was raised by parents who are farmers, managed to strive. She started her own school and blog in the year 2002, before Womenomics was promoted by the Japanese prime minster Mr. Abe. Her success story convinced me that we can make our own lives and passions count.
Header image courtesy Shutterstock.
Meenu believes in enjoying little things in life. Very social but at the same time could sit at home on a weekend and read a book instead! read more...
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.
Picture this: A seasoned executive at the peak of her career suddenly grapples with hot flashes and sleep disturbances during important meetings. She also battles mood swings and cognitive changes, affecting her productivity and confidence. Eventually, she resigns from her job.
Fiction? Not really. The scenario above is a reality many women face as they navigate menopause while meeting their work responsibilities.
Menopause is the time when a woman stops menstruating. This natural condition marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. The transition brings unique physical, emotional, and psychological changes for women.
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