While the concept of skiing is relatively new to Japan, the country has embraced the winter sport and made it its own. Today, the nation is home to some of the biggest ski resorts in the world. In fact, the Japanese have developed their own style of skiing, which can be characterized as “helping the spirits of the mountains.”
According to Eisei (nature) scholar Masayoshi Enomoto, the Japanese refer to skiing as “shitamushi,” which can be translated as “skiing for the fun of it.” However, Enomoto also notes that in Japan, skiing is a “translated term” and does not necessarily mean “skiing for fun.” This is similar to how the French term “finiskiing” or the Italian “pennichella,” both of which mean “skin-diving or snorkeling,” does not necessarily convey the activity as a summer sport.
Despite this subtle nuance, the Japanese definitely enjoy their ski holidays and make the most of the snow-covered landscape. Here’s a quick guide to what does ski mean in Japanese.
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1. A Means To Ventriloquize A Legendary Mountain
Most ski resorts in Japan are built in the shape of a dragon’s tail, which is said to symbolize a powerful snowflake. This “snake” shape was chosen to signify that the destination is meant to be both terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time. The resorts’ names often end in “boke,” which is the Japanese word for “tail.” Like snakes, the Japanese appreciate a good backdraft, and these ski resorts provide the spectacle of a rolling landscape that comes with a thunderous roar.
As you might guess, the Japanese are quite the practical jokers, and they have taken to the slopes as a chance to indulge their sense of humor. The most famous “ski prank” took place in 1968 at Nagano’s Sanpassio, where skiers pretended to be corpses and fooled the locals as well as the police.
You might say that the Japanese have made the most of the fact that the winter in Japan is quite long, which gives them plenty of opportunities to indulge their love of skiing. According to Enomoto, the Japanese appreciate the unique experience of skiing and take pride in their craft. This is why they have developed their own style of skiing, which can be characterized as “helping the spirits of the mountains.” Essentially, the Japanese ski tradition centers around the concept of “tsujin wakaru,” which means “helping the spirits of the mountains” (as in the Japanese Alps).
2. An Opportunity To Get Some Fresh Air
Besides all of the fun that skiing has to offer, one of the most appealing aspects of the sport is the opportunity to get some fresh air. Since airpaks were not invented yet, people in the 1940s had to keep their heads covered when they went outside. However, today, skiing is such a popular sport in Japan that people can go outside bareheaded, and especially since the 2000s, many have started doing so. This is because the air in Tokyo is quite polluted, and while the Japanese are big fans of indoor air quality, they also love to get a bit of fresh air once in a while.
In case you’re wondering, you don’t necessarily need to go skiing to get some fresh air. After all, you can always go outside for a while to get some vitamin D, and the fresh air will do you some good.
3. A Way To Bond With Nature
Another appealing aspect of skiing is the chance to bond with nature. After all, who wouldn’t want to be near a majestic mountain or an expansive forest? For the Japanese, bonding with nature can be such a rewarding experience because of how the country has changed over the years.
This aspect of skiing came about because of Japan’s post-war economic boom, which provided more opportunity for the country to indulge its love of nature. As a result, many turned to the sport they call “shinrin-yoku,” which means “ski recreation” in English. These days, many Japanese enjoy their time on the slopes because it provides them with a chance to bond with the outdoors.
So, it seems that the Japanese have found a way to combine their passion for skiing and their appreciation for nature. While they don’t necessarily seek out a summer sport, the winter brings with it a whole new set of delights for the Japanese.
The country has embraced the winter sport and made it its own. Today, it’s home to the biggest skiing resorts in the world, and it provides the opportunity to indulge in a favorite winter sport, make some new friends, and even reconnect with nature.