Mottainai

Mottainai written on a truck, followed by "I aim for zero emissions "

Mottainai ( Japanese 勿 体 無 い or も っ た い な い ) is a Japanese term used to express a feeling of regret over the waste of time, goods and things. According to the Kōjien , the term is translated as follows: a feeling of regret at the waste of something whose real value is not being used adequately. Sometimes the origin of the term, but especially its use, is attributed to Zen Buddhism . Japanese environmentalists have taken up the term since the early 2000s to propagate an environmentally conscious approach to life.

The term “Mottainai” received media attention through Wangari Maathai's speech at the United Nations in 2004. In German-speaking countries, the Mottainai theme is taken up both in culinary terms and in matters such as housekeeping.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ https://livegreen.ch/de/discover/mottainai/ Everything is precious
2. ↑ https://www.ursachewirkung.at/leben/2135-alles-ist-kostbar
3. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20040405084940/http:/www.lookjapan.com/LBcoverstory/02NovCS.htm
4. ↑ Rike Uhlenkamp and Antonia Roch - Photos: Roman Pawlowski: Connoisseurs with a clear conscience . In: Der Spiegel . No. 1 , 2018, p. 64-71 ( Online - Feb. 20, 2018 ).
5. ↑ Matsumoto Keisuke: The Art of Mindful Cleaning, Goldmann Verlag 2015, ISBN 978-3442220670 .
6. ↑ Tainá Guedes: The kitchen of mindfulness - MOTTAINAI: Don't waste anything, cook creatively, eat healthy, Verlag Antje Kunstmann GmbH 2017, ISBN 978-3956141355