読書の秋と梅干のはなし ～On Umeboshi and the Importance of Reading ～

2019年11月　学園長アッセンブリー

梅干の写真をしばらく見ると、口の中に唾液がたまったり、耳の下がキュッとする感覚になったりしませんか？食べていないのに、なぜでしょう？

『ミラーニューロン』という細胞が脳のなかにあるのでは、と言われています。

ミラー＝鏡ですが、人間は目で見たものと同じものを頭の中に再現できるのです。梅干を食べている時の脳の働きと同じ脳の働きになる、自分が食べている時を思い出して、食べている時と同じ状態になる、これがミラーニューロンの働きです。

見たり聞いたりしたことを鏡のように頭の中に映しだすことができるので、例えば、スポーツでとても上手な選手をじっくりみると、その選手がプレーしている時と同じ脳の状態になります。

昔、ブルースリーの映画を見た後、自分まで強くなった気になったものです。

 梅干をみて唾液が出た人は、梅干を食べたことがある人ですよね。自分が経験していることは、ミラーとして頭の中に再現できます。

だから、色々な経験をたくさんしたことがある人は、見たり、話を聞いたりすると、その人や状況と同じことを頭の中につくることができます。でも経験していないことは難しい。

例えば、病気になって自分がつらい思いをすると、だれかが病気になった時にその人のつらい気持ちがわかる。頭がその時と同じ状態になるからですね。たくさんの経験がある人は、たくさんの人の気持ちがわかる。だから良い経験も、その時はつらいと思う経験でも、人の気持ちがわかるという点では意味があるのです。

 季節は秋。読書の秋といわれるように、本を読むのにとてもいい季節になりました。本を読むとミラーニューロンが働き、経験したかのように脳が働くのですね。たくさん本を読むと、その中の出来事は自分の経験として増えるので、たくさんの人の気持ちがよくわかり、本当の友達もできるようになります。

 みんながこれからする色々な経験、楽しいことも少し辛いことも、全て人の気持ちがわかるということの役に立ちます。また、本をたくさん読んで、頭の中でたくさんの経験をすると、さらに人の気持ちがわかる豊かな人になれますよ。

***English version is as follows***

On Umeboshi and the Importance of Reading

When you look at a picture of umeboshi, an interesting human reaction occurs. Your mouth begins to water, your jaw tightens slightly. How is this possible? What exactly is taking place?

It is believed that within our brains there are cells which scientists refer to as “mirror neurons”. These mirror neurons replicate an action, even if you are merely looking with your eyes and not performing said action. In the case of umeboshi, just the sight of it triggers the same spot in your brain that reacts when you are eating it. Because you have memory of its taste and how it affected your body, your brain mirrors, or replicates, that experience; for better or worse.

Mirror neurons not only react to sight, they can be triggered by hearing as well. It’s a phenomenon that occurs within all humans at different times and for different reasons. For example, if you enjoy playing soccer and are watching a match, your mirror neurons will react to the athlete’s actions and the sounds of the game. On a different note, I had this same experience after watching a Bruce Lee movie many years ago. Seeing his strength on the screen left me feeling powerful as well. 

Logically, if your body reacts to a picture of umeboshi this means that you’ve eaten umeboshi before. That is to say, your mirror neurons are affected by personal experience. Therefore, those who have had many different experiences in their lives, have talked and listened to different people with different opinions, are capable of replicating a wider set of emotions and actions.

Because I myself have known the hardship of becoming ill and being hospitalized, I am capable of understanding those who are going through the same experience. My emotions and actions react as if I were back in the hospital myself. That’s why in life bad experiences can be just as important as good experiences. In the end you are able to understand others better because there is something that is shared between you.

In Japan, autumn is said to be the best season for reading. And believe it or not, your mirror neurons also react when you read. In fact, you are even able to gain new experiences and learn about different people and opinions just by reading books! They can take you to new places and allow you to meet new people. Because of this, it’s possible to have more shared experiences in your life and expand your network of friends.

So, I want to encourage you today to have as many experiences in life as possible. Good experiences, bad experiences; in the end they will all be helpful to you in your daily life. In addition, I want to encourage you to read as much as possible. Make other people’s stories your own. In return, you will be able to understand others better. You will be able to share and connect. You will be able to make a difference.