"Gaman" loosely translated means to "tolerate, put up with, bear (not the animal)". It is also the art of patience. Which is a quality the Japanese excel. It allows 127,433,494 Japanese to wait in long lines, be stuffed in to subways, deal with earthquakes and live in crowded cities in relative peace, on land about the size of California. No better is "the art of Gaman" put to use then summer.
Summers on the main island of Japan are hot. Not the "dry hot" of deserts, but the hot, muggy and damp weather that conjures images of the Amazon jungle, New York subway stations and wet blankets. There is even a summer malady called "Natsu-bate". "Natsu-bate" is a summer lethargy caused by the heat. Symptoms are fatigue, lack of appetite and generally feeling lousy. However, there are many traditional ways to distract your mind from the oppressing sultriness. Small chimes are hung from houses , which sound like a cool breeze. Festivals with fireworks and shaved ice abound during the summer.
Still, "Gaman" "put up with it" is the method most Japanese use to survive the discomforts of Summer. As a former resident of the fraction world, I am still improving my skills in the art of "Gaman". In the mean time, I'll turn on the air conditioner and wait for autumn.
