Mottainai – or the Regret of Wastefulness

Consuelo Rocha Dietz
Sep 8
3 min read

“What a waste!” We often hear this phrase - whether it's when we have to dispose of forgotten food or accidentally tip over a glass of wine. But in Japan, we would say a single word at such moments: Mottainai!

There is much more to it than mere regret. Mottainai expresses not only loss, but also gratitude, appreciation and a deep sense of humility. At a time of increasing resource scarcity and environmental crises, this old Japanese word takes on a new, global relevance.

Origin and meaning of the term

Mottainai (勿体無い or もったいない) has its roots in both Shintoism and Zen Buddhism and embodies a deeply rooted cultural understanding of the value of things.

A colorful Japanese woodcut triptych from the 19th century, created by Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). The scene depicts the mythological tale of the sun goddess Amaterasu, who has withdrawn into a cave, plunging the world into darkness. Amaterasu appears in the central panel, surrounded by radiant rays of light. Surrounding her are several gods and figures in elaborate, traditional robes, performing the so-called “Iwato-Kagura” dance ceremony with masks, drums and ritual objects to lure her out of the cave. The composition is richly decorated, full of movement and symbolic details. — “The Origin of Iwato Kagura Dance” triptych by Utagawa Kunisada (aka Toyokuni III)

Shintoism: The animated world

In Shinto belief, not only humans or animals are animated - inanimate objects also have an anima, a soul. Everything is imbued with kami, divine beings that demand respect and attentiveness. Throwing something away carelessly means not showing these spirits the respect they deserve. Waste is therefore not only practical, but spiritual misconduct.

Buddhist perspectives: substance and gratitude

In 13th century Zen Buddhism, mottai meant “substance” or “essence”, while nai expressed an absence. Mottainai thus literally means: the absence of substance - or understood more deeply: the loss of what makes something meaningful.

Numerous wooden ema tablets hang close together on a wooden frame in a Japanese Shintō shrine, near a body of water. The panels are inscribed with handwritten wishes and prayers and some are decorated with colorful motifs, such as the red torii gate of Itsukushima. The ema are attached with white ribbons and create a multi-layered, text-rich image. Light falls through the wooden lattice structure onto the water in the background. The atmosphere is reverent and calm. — Itsukushima-jinja Shinto Shrine, Miyajima, Japan

From this perspective, nothing exists on its own. Every object is the result of many efforts and resources. To waste something therefore also means to leave unused all that goes into its creation - a deeply ethical and humble view.

Mottainai in everyday life - rituals of appreciation

In Japan, there are numerous rituals and ceremonies that express this spirit. Here are two particularly impressive examples:

Hari Kuyō - The ceremony of the sewing needles

Once a year, disused sewing needles are honored in many temples in Japan. They are placed in tofu or konnyaku - soft foods that symbolically offer them a peaceful “resting bed”. A ceremony is held to thank them for their loyal service.

Several women, some dressed in traditional kimonos, stand in a row and take part in a Japanese ritual. In the foreground is a flat plate decorated with red flowers, in the center of which lies a soft piece of tofu or konnyaku into which needles are inserted. This ritual is known as “Hari-kuyō” - a memorial ceremony for disused sewing needles. The scene takes place in a simple, tatami-lined room with sliding shoji doors in the background. The atmosphere is calm and respectful. — A needle offering (Hari Kuyō) at Awashima Shrine (photo by Genichi Toyoshi (豊瀬源一))

Brush festival in Nara

At the annual brush festival (Fude Matsuri) at the Suragawa Tenmangū shrine in Nara, old, worn-out brushes are handed over to the fire in a solemn procession - accompanied by prayers and chants. This shows how deeply rooted respect for tools and their history is.

Traditional techniques of repairing and preserving

Mottainai is not just a feeling, but a practice. In Japan, techniques have developed over the centuries that turn wear and damage into something new and beautiful:

• Kintsugi - the art of repairing broken ceramics with gold, and appreciating the beauty of imperfection

• Sashiko - artistic embroidery techniques to reinforce and embellish clothing

• Boro - the artful mending and reuse of worn textiles

Mottainai and environmental protection - a global principle

The term received international attention in 2005 when the Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai used it as a slogan for an environmental protection campaign at a UN summit.

"Mottainai is not just a word. It is an attitude towards the world." - Wangari Maathai

She associated Mottainai with the three major environmental principles: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - in other words, reduce, reuse and recycle. In doing so, she introduced centuries-old wisdom into the global discourse on sustainability.

The relevance of Mottainai today

Mottainai is more than nostalgia or folklore. It is a practical, spiritual and ethical concept that calls us to be more mindful in our use of resources.

In a world that is increasingly suffering from overconsumption, environmental degradation and a throwaway culture, Mottainai can be a bridge - between tradition and the future, between spiritual attitude and practical action.

Perhaps we should also pause more often and - when something breaks, is lost or wasted - say:

Mottainai