I began my study of Japanese language in grade 9. Here in Canada we are required to take French until grade 8, and let me tell you the moment I was able to leave French behind, I jumped at it! I found French and I didn’t mesh well ;) My grade 8 French teacher was constantly poking at my inelegant pronunciation and telling us crazy stories about getting stuck in elevators or in traffic jams and desperately needing to go to the bathroom. (The poster above is from Nan Lawson’s Etsy shop – all proceeds from the sale of this poster will go to benefit Japan.)

Remember print from Etsy shop Design Twenty Six – 100% of proceeds to benefit Japan.

Japanese classes were like a breath of fresh air. My brain loved the logical structure of the language, and miraculously most of my Japanese teachers were delighted at my pronunciation. To top it all off our teachers introduced us to Japanese culture and taught us so many fascinating things about the country and its people. Amongst other things we learned about manga (Japanese comics), street culture, and origami. I was particularly struck by how the Japanese conception of the self was so different from our Western one. Here in North America I know many of us (myself included) are strong and opinionated individualists who express our feelings fairly openly. In stark contrast, most Japanese people do not speak of their opinions and feelings as openly as we would, and find their primary identity in groups.

Print donated to the Love for Japan Shop by Calamari Studio

This past week, as tragedy struck Japan, I learned a new word – “gaman”, which loosely translated, means strength and stoicism. This word has been a kind of glue that has helped the Japanese define themselves in the face of suffering – “It means that you have to suffer, you have to hold it in, not let it out” says Robert Brasch, a Japanese American businessman and president of Pacific Partners Inc. (source: LA Times. Learning this word gave voice to a feeling and understanding I already had about the people of Japan. What struck me at my core this past week were the voices of the Japanese people that I heard on the news, the emotion and fear that I heard. Hearing these uncharacteristic bursts of raw emotion was so much more poignant as it told me just how bad things are there right now.

Etsy shop, Mondo Felice is donating the proceeds from these party printables to Japan.

I know though, that that should not be my focus. Instead I have been inspired by so many individuals who are finding ways to give and help Japan heal and rebuild – either through giving via the Red Cross or through non-traditional methods. On Etsy right now, a number of tags have been designated so you can find items whose proceeds are going to Japan. Here are three I know of: Japan Relief, Artist Aid and Joy for Japan Also – at least one charity shop has sprung up on Etsy, Love For Japan. Throughout this post, you’ll find items from various etsy stores that are donating the proceeds from select items in their shops to benefit Japan.

Postcard donated to the Love for Japan Shop by Calamari Studio

I would love to hear if you are donating items from your shop to Japan or if you know of other unique ways we can donate to help Japan – please note this in the comments below.