Category: Japan

The Pareto Principle

August 24, 2026 By arne hendriks Off

Het Pareto-principe (de 80/20-regel) en Hara Hachi Bu (eten tot je 80% vol zit, en 20% lege ruimte laten) lijken op het eerste gezicht ongerelateerd. De ene is een wiskundige managementtheorie, de andere een eeuwenoude Japanse wijsheid uit Okinawa. Toch delen ze een diepe, universele…

Subaru 360 (Ladybug)

June 17, 2026 By arne hendriks Off

At The Incredible Shrinking Man we are interested in cars as a manifestation of the things we want and are unwilling to let go off. Much as our desire, cars have increased in size. But not in Japan. For decades, the Japanese Kei car class…

Migikata Sagari!

April 26, 2026 By arne hendriks Off

Migikata agari is a Japanese phrase that means right shoulder rising. Frequently used at the end of business meetings this rallying call is physically expressed by trusting the right shoulder up. In so doing the shoulderline creates an upward slope, effectively turning the body into…

20% Ma

March 30, 2026 By arne hendriks Off

The Incredible Shrinking Man has long been fascinated by Hara Hachi Bu, the practice of eating until only 80% full. This discipline does more than just limit intake; it creates, and honors, a 20% void. This intentional emptiness relates to the Japanese concept of Ma.…

Japanese Miniatures: Sukunabiko

April 18, 2024 By arne hendriks Off

There is something majestic about the arrival of the shinto dwarf god Sukunabiko (AKA The small lord of renown) to the shores of Izumo province in Japan. Dressed in the wings of a moth and carried by a tiny boat made from a sweet potato…

The Giants: Gashadokuro

July 5, 2023 By arne hendriks Off

To know the small we must also understand the tall. Although contemporary man is himself a giant, The Giants is not about the Robert Wadlows, the Shaquille O’Neals or the Trijntje Keevers of this world. They were real people, albeit very tall. However The Giants…