Healing culture, derived from the spiritual aesthetic trend of Japan, is like a gentle wind and rain, permeating the bits and pieces of life, evoking inner resonance in a unique way. This cultural wave, in Japan in the nineties, was closely linked to the heavy background of the bursting of the bubble economy. Economist Yukio Noguchi once pointed out that the bubble period of unearned gains is gradually coming to an end, and it is facing heavy labor and pressure. The great changes in the context of this era have led to the emergence of a culture of healing, providing a safe haven for people.
The literary concept of "mourning", proposed by the Japanese scholar Honju Nobunaga, defines "things" as things that can cause "mourning", highlighting the subjective inner feelings of human nature and things. This concept permeates Japanese literature, allowing creators to keep a keen heart when observing daily life, and to give emotions to subtle things with elegant taste, highlighting the mental state of the Japanese people.
Traditional literature, such as the love between a man and a woman in Taketori Monogatari and Matsuo Basho's line poems, express attention to the details of everyday life. This subtle emotion, the elegant feeling of beauty, has become the essence of healing film and television works. They give spirituality to the animals and objects of life, highlighting that these objects are not ordinary inanimate beings, but emotional bridges.
In "Natsume Friend Tent", the youkai the size of a teapot is closely linked to people's beliefs. When the last believer, Grandma Hanako, died, Lushen was on the verge of disappearing. This story emphasizes people's understanding of things, and people's compassion is the fundamental meaning of the existence of some things.
This idea is also reflected in "The Taste of Orange Sand". Inspired by red beans, Tokue beans befriended the store manager and Wakana, bringing them inspiration from his life experience. In the process of narrating the story, the healing film and television works profoundly reflect the idea of material mourning, arousing the reflection and inspiration of the protagonist and the audience.
Times are constantly evolving, and economic fluctuations also have a profound impact on society and culture. In the nineties, Japanese society faced an economic crisis triggered by the bursting of the bubble, and people gradually sought catharsis and solace in film and television works. This background allowed the development of healing culture and provided an emotional outlet for people.
Different times will inevitably give birth to different cultures, reflecting the unique feelings of society and life. Healing film and television works naturally carry the common theme of the times and the memory of the commonality of growth. In a restrained way, they convey the desire for affection, friendship, and love, echoing the challenges of social change and concerns about traditional family structures.
The rise and development of healing culture is closely linked to the economic ups and downs of Japanese society. This cultural formation was born out of a response to social change and an echo of the inner aspirations of individuals. It is a reduction in the stress of reality, an opportunity to re-examine life.