水引: Mizuhiki (Japanese Paper Cord)

Assalamualaikum wbt.

       So, last Monday on 17^th September 2018 was a public holiday in Japan called Respect for the Aged Day or 敬老の日 (read: keiro no hi). It was celebrated to honor and respect the elderly citizens. However, I’m not going to tell more about that day, I’m going to write what I was doing on that day. As the title mentioned above, I joined an activity called Mizuhiki in 原宿 (read: Harajuku) which is just 16 minutes from my house by train. Honestly, this activity is more to ladylike activity but if men want to try as well, just go ahead. You just need to be more patient because I did lost mine when I tried for the second time.

       What is Mizuhiki and the history behind it? Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese art form made from a special cord. Mizuhiki is often tied into a knot around gifts, with each knot having a particular meaning. Each of these knot is tailored for a specific event, such as a wedding ceremony or birth. The history of Mizuhiki knot goes as far back as 607 AD, when a Japanese delegate presented a gift from China to the Japanese emperor. This gift was decorated with a red and white twine knot symbolizing ‘safe journey’. Since then, the Japanese followed the same style, recreating the knot and starting a tradition of presenting a gift box with a Mizuhiki knot. 

Picture 1: Example of Mizuhiki knot

    There are many types of knot in Mizuhiki and one of it is called あわじ結び (read: Awaji musubi) or  Awaji knot. This is the one that I learned during the class. This is the simple one and it is also called as 書生結び (read: Shosei musubi). While tying this knot, you can move the cord easily and it is not likely to get loose. For beginner, I prefer to learn tying this kind of basic knot. So, how the Awaji knot looks like? You can prefer in the picture below. I’m proud to say that I made this one ho ho ho. Well, I live, study and work in Japan. It’s not wrong right to learn simple Japanese traditional art and show it off to you guys.

Picture 2: Awaji knot

       As it is quite difficult for me to describe how I tie this knot, I’ll just put a few picture below. This Awaji knot is made up of five cords. During the class, my teacher allowed me to pick any colors and types of cords that I like. As a beginner, she advised me to use all five same types of cord with different colors as it will be much easier to tie it. The picture 2 is the first one that I made. I chose pink and white colors with same cords. Then, for the second one, I chose two types of cords with red, yellow and white colors.

       Firstly, I tie the Awaji knot by using only three cords with red color. Then, after I got the shape, I put another two cords of yellow and white. I cut the middle by using scissor and apply the glue to make sure that the Awaji knot will not loose and stay in shape. 

Picture 3: Tie it into 涙 (read: namida) tear-shape

Picture 4: Using three red cords

Picture 5: Add another yellow cord

Picture 6: Add the last white cord

Picture 7: Cut the middle with scissor

Picture 8: The second Awaji knot is done

Picture 9: Same Awaji knot with different colors

       This might look like a simple type of traditional knot but I think it’s worth it to learn because of the history behinds it. One of the reason why I have so much interest in Japanese culture because even in this simple knot, there is a message that can be conveyed. It’s wonderful to know how a message can be conveyed to others without using words and just tie a beautiful, simple knot. And I wonder if we have traditional knot in Malay culture as well? Let me know and maybe I will learn it in the future. For those in Japan and those who plan to come to Japan, you can go to this place called, Komorebi located in Harajuku. You just pay around 1500 Yen for beginner lesson. That’s all for now.

Reference:

https://www.komorebi.shop/

https://www.thejapaneseshop.co.uk/blog/need-know-mizuhiki/

Tanggungjawab Mereka? Tanggungjawab Engkau? Tanggungjawab Aku?

Assalamualaikum wbt.

1. Pada 3 September 2018, bertempat di Balai Polis Taiping, seorang perempuan berbangsa Melayu berumur 16 tahun telah membuat laporan polis mendakwa dirinya dirogol oleh teman lelakinya serta dua orang lelaki dipercayai rakan kepada teman lelakinya itu. Kejadian tersebut berlaku pada 17 Ogos 2018, mangsa telah dibawa oleh teman lelakinya ke sebuah hotel di Taiping pada jam 4:30 pagi. Selepas itu, mangsa telah tidur dan tidak sedar apa yang berlaku sehingga mangsa terjaga pada pukul 11:00 pagi dan mendapati lehernya terdapat kesan lebam serta kemaluannya terasa sakit.
2. Pada 13 September 2018, seorang pekerja hotel di Johor Bahru telah menghubungi polis selepas melihat seorang lelaki dewasa mendaftar masuk ke hotel itu bersama seorang kanak-kanak perempuan, membongkar aktiviti sumbang mahram dilakukan lelaki terbabit. Pekerja terbabit bertindak menghubungi pihak polis kerana melihat lelaki berkenaan yang mencurigakan. Sebaik polis tiba, polis mengetuk pintu bilik dan apabila dibuka, didapati seorang lelaki dan seorang kanak-kanak perempuan dalam keadaan hanya memakai tuala. Selepas membuat pemeriksaan, lelaki tersebut berusia 48 tahun dan kanak-kanak terbabit dalam lingkungan usia 10 tahun. Lelaki tersebut merupakan bapa saudara kepada kanak-kanak tersebut dan memberitahu pihak polis, mangsa telah mendapat kebenaran ibu bapanya untuk mengikut lelaki terbabit.

       Melihat kepada dua kes di atas, terdapat satu persamaan yang amat ketara, kedua-dua mangsa ialah gadis bawah umur. Secara umumnya di Malaysia, definisi kanak-kanak adalah dibawah umur 18 tahun mengikut Akta Kanak-Kanak yang diluluskan pada tahun 2001. Sekalipun kanak-kanak tersebut mungkin kelihatan atau mampu untuk berfikir dan bercakap dengan matang seperti orang dewasa, mereka masih memerlukan bimbingan dan pengawasan penuh oleh orang dewasa yang terdekat terutamanya ibu bapa. Persoalan disini, adakan tanggungjawab untuk melindungi kanak-kanak ini jatuh secara mutlak kepada ibu bapa dan ahli keluarga sahaja?

       Sekiranya kita lihat pada kes yang pertama melibatkan gadis bawah umur yang dirogol oleh teman lelakinya dan dua lelaki yang lain, gadis ini telah berhenti sekolah dua bulan sebelum kejadian berlaku dan gambar bogel serta video lucahnya pernah tersebar sebelum ini. Mangsa membuat laporan polis apabila video lucah yang memaparkan mangsa dirogol telah disebarkan oleh suspek-suspek yang merogolnya ke media sosial seperti WhatsApp dan Tumblr. Apabila kes ini viral, ramai pihak menunding jari kepada ibu bapa gadis tersebut kerana tidak memantau pergaulan bebas anaknya dan terlalu mengikut semua kehendak anak.

       Hal ini membuatkan saya terfikir, andainya ibu bapa sudah tidak lagi mahu atau mampu membimbing anak-anaknya yang semakin liar, siapa lagi yang akan mengambil tanggungjawab tersebut? Cuba kita bayangkan kita berada sewaktu kejadian rogol itu berlaku. Sebagai contoh, kita letakkan diri kita sebagai salah seorang pekerja hotel yang bertanggungjawab untuk menguruskan daftar masuk dan menyerahkan kunci bilik kepada mangsa dan teman lelaki. Kita lihat pasangan ini kelihatan terlalu muda dan mungkin masih belum berkahwin. Mereka juga menempah satu bilik sahaja untuk mereka menginap. Memandangkan mereka ini pelanggan, kita mungkin berasa malu untuk bertanya terus kepada meraka adakah mereka sudah berkahwin atau belum bukan? Jadi kita pendam perasaan curiga itu dan tanpa kita sedar, kita telah meletakkan gadis tersebut ke dalam situasi yang boleh mencabul maruahnya.

       Cuba kita bayangkan kalau kita ialah pekerja hotel untuk kes yang kedua pula. Kali ini, kita tidak melaporkan kepada pihak polis kerana kita lihat pelanggan yang mendaftar masuk ke bilik itu seperti bapa dan anak. Perkara yang sama mungkin akan berlaku seperti kes yang pertama walaupun suspek dan mangsa mempunyai perasaaan antara satu sama lain. Berdasarkan Seksyen 375 Kanun Keseksaan rogol berlaku apabila seorang lelaki mengadakan hubungan seks dengan seorang perempuan di bawah keadaan berikut:

a. Tanpa persetujuannya.

b. Tanpa kebenarannya.

c. Dengan persetujuan tetapi diberikan kerana wanita itu takut akan keselamatannya atau kerana salah tafsiran dan lelaki itu tahu persetujuan diberi secara demikian.

d. Dengan persetujuannya kerana wanita itu percaya bahawa lelaki itu suaminya dan lelaki itu tahu dia bukan suami yang sah.

e. Dengan atau tanpa persetujuan wanita bawah umur 16 tahun.

Ini bermakna pada perenggan ‘e’, mengadakan hubungan seks dengan gadis di bawah umur 16 tahun adalah satu kesalahan rogol dan boleh dikenakan hukuman penjara sehingga 20 tahun dan sebatan.

       Saya tidak menafikan ibu bapa sememangnya penting untuk memantau kegiatan anak-anak terutamanya yang bawah umur. Tetapi, abang, kakak, makcik, pakcik, jiran sebelah rumah, pekerja hotel, peniaga warung di tepi jalan serta sesiapa sahaja yang bergelar manusia dan hidup dalam sesuatu masyarakat juga perlu memantau kegiatan anak-anak muda di sekeliling. Saya sebagai anak sulung dan kakak kepada seorang adik perempuan dan dua orang adik lelaki, mengambil tanggungjawab untuk memantau aktiviti adik-adik saya di media sosial. Hal ini kerana kedua ibu bapa saya hanya aktif di Facebook dan WhatsApp sahaja sedangkan remaja sekarang mempunya sekurang-kurangnya lebih dari dua akaun media social seperti Instagram, Twitter, LINE, Skype dan Tumblr.

       Saya percaya setiap orang memainkan peranan penting untuk menjaga keselamatan masyarakat terutamanya golongan yang memerlukan bimbingan dan pengawasan orang dewasa iaitu kanak-kanak bawah umur. Tanpa mengira pekerjaan gaji tinggi atau rendah, bangsa Melayu atau India, kenal atau tidak, salah satu cara untuk mengurangkan kadar jenayah dan membantu pihak polis menyelesaikan kes jenayah adalah datang dari keprihatinan diri sendiri dengan menjalankan tanggungjawab secara serius tanpa menunding jari kepada orang lain. Malaysia baru bukan bermula apabila menukar kerajaan baru, tetapi apabila masyarakat mengubah mentaliti lama kepada mentaliti untuk mewujudkan masyarakat yang selamat dan bersatu.

Procrastination: A creative way to success

Assalamualaikum wbt

       I wonder if you guys used to hear the word ‘procrastination’? Or how about ‘delay’? Currently, I’m reading a book entitled ‘Originals’ written by Adam Grant and one of the chapters in this book, The Discipline to Delay had been creatively elaborated by the author. Honestly, the way he elaborated on how people delay some stuff until the right moment is quite close to my personal experience. He even told stories of many successful people who turn out to have the habit of procrastination. So, before I tell you guys more about how procrastination can lead to success, I will tell the stories that I got from this book.

Picture 1: Originals by Adam Grant

First story: Leonardo Da Vinci

       Many critics believed that Leonardo Da Vinci was wasting his time with other distractions as he took around 16 years to complete the Mona Lisa painting. It was estimated that he started the painting in 1503, left it unfinished and didn’t complete it until close to his death in 1519. However, according to the historian, William Pannapacker, the distractions were vital to final achievements that lead to the great portrait of Mona Lisa. He explained that while Da Vinci was trying to finish the portrait, he was distracted by optical experiments. His work in optics might have delayed the Mona Lisa portrait, but his final achievements in painting depended on the experiments.

Picture 2: Mona Lisa portrait

       Da Vinci was known to work in multiple projects or experiments while painting as these projects helped him to gain great achievement in his final work in painting. Another example, he spent about 15 years developing the ideas for The Last Supper by beginning with a sketch of figures sitting on a bench. A dozen years later, this painting became the famous 13 figures seated at a table. Da Vinci believed that a great achievement should not be rushed. You need to balance your action while brainstorming the ideas to finish your work. Then, you can find or target the right moment to get the most accomplishments.

Picture 3: The Last Supper Painting

Second Story: Martin Luther King Jr.

       On 28^th August 1963, American civil right activist, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a public speech entitled “I Have a Dream” to call for an end to racism in the United States and called for civil and economic rights. This speech was powerful that it was ranked the top American speech of the 20^th century in 1999 poll of scholars of public address. Weeks before delivering the speech, King asked advice from his three close advisors about the appropriate content and tone and start working on the draft. However, he was not rushed to finish it or at least decide the theme of the speech. He waited until four days before the day he supposes to deliver the speech to start actively writing the draft.

       The night before, he gathered all his advisors to review the ideas of the speech to get the best approach. When they compared the early draft that they made weeks before and the draft that they discussed the night before the speech, they could see how the ideas worked to the goal that they wanted to express during the speech. Even a few minutes before King delivering his speech in front of the 250,000 crowds and millions more watching on TV, he improvised the speech that enables him to give his inspiring vision to all civil rights supporters. Another benefit of procrastination that we can see from this story is that it keeps us open to improvisation. Now, half a century after King delivered his momentous speech, the four words, “I have a dream” remains as one of the most recognizable phrases in the history and a vivid portrait of a better future.

Picture 4: Martin Luther King Jr.

Third Story: My story

       I never called myself as a successful person just like those two people that I mentioned before, but I do learn from my mistakes when I procrastinated my works especially when I was a student. Since high school, my friends knew me as a person that always finish school homework ahead of the deadline. So, the day or the night before submission, they will look at my answers and some of them copy one by one (I do feel annoyed with this kind of people). Then, after my teacher checked my homework, there were so many mistakes, sometimes small mistakes that I did not realize it beforehand. I asked myself maybe if I take the time to finish it or do it little by little, I can possibly minimize those mistakes.

       A few months before I took SPM examination, there were 2 subjects that I need to put more effort which is Add Math and Physics. As during trial examination, I didn’t get A for these 2 killer subjects, so I really hope that I can do well during the real SPM examination. So, I learned from my mistakes, I arranged my study schedule instead of revising these subjects in a short period, I arranged so that I can study them till the day of the examination. It was a risk as I never did it before during past examinations but alhamdulillah, I managed to get straight A’s during SPM 2011. But you know history repeats right? I experienced it again when I went to preparation school before flying to Japan.

       During my time in preparation school, everyone was studying so hard as we need to master Japanese language fluently just in three years before flying to Japan. I still remember we need to memorize Hiragana alphabets in one week, Katakana alphabets in another one week, memorize at least 20 new Japanese words and took the test the next day, memorize at least 10 new Kanji everyday and these repeats for 3 years. Well, alhamdulillah I survived. As I learned from my mistakes in high school and I wasn’t born as a fast learner, I took my time to study these subjects till there was a time that I got the worst score in my class. But, I knew it wasn’t the end as by being the worst student in class, I finally knew what I really need to improve before I took the big test. The ‘delaying study tactic’ was a success. I got awarded in Dean List and went to one the best university in Japan.

       I don’t mean to imply that it’s never wise to be the first to finish. But sometimes, we need other people to go first or we need more time to understand our problem, analyzing our conditions and plan an improvisation tactic. Procrastinating can give us flexibility on a task and open us up to learning and adaptability. I finish my words with “good things come to those who wait”.