On Mottainai

By Mirei Takashima Claremon 

The Japanese term, mottainai, is most commonly associated with wastefulness, such as when something of value—such as food, time, an opportunity, or even a person’s talent or potential—is lost, unused, or otherwise not valued or utilized wisely. In English, the closest translation would be the expression, “What a waste!” Alternatively, mottainai is also used when one is given a gift that one doesn’t feel worthy of. In such cases, “You shouldn’t have!” best captures the sentiment in English. The ancient meaning of mottainai is imbued with a more spiritual sentiment. Originally, mottainai referred to the loss or absence of the true nature of what is holy, specifically Shinto deities and Buddha. In this sense, mottainai implies something deeper and more melancholy than the relatively shallow, unpleasant feelings of wastefulness. Stemming from the cultural belief that there is always a proper and correct way for things to be, the emphasis here is on the feeling of regret or pity that arises from the absence of what is morally important and right. In this way, mottainai also encapsulates the belief that we should not take things for granted. Instead, we should feel grateful for our existence and for all of the things that we have—and as a result—be mindful so as not to behave wastefully.