In Japanese culture, there's a profound emphasis on immersing oneself deeply into a single field or practice. This philosophy champions the virtue of unwavering dedication to one endeavor only. Exploring multiple interests in Japan is somehow discouraged.
By contrast, in the West, dabbling in a variety of interests is not just accepted but encouraged. This allows for a diverse range of experiences and learning, albeit sometimes at the expense of depth.
This dichotomy presents an interesting reflection on the nature of expertise. In Japan, one might find individuals with incredibly deep knowledge but in a narrow field. For example, it is not rare that an Aikido practitioner might know nothing about Karate or Judo, or indeed about any other Japanese martial arts. Because this expertise is very deep but narrow, I call it a ’I’ type of expertise.
On the contrary, I know many martial arts enthusiasts in the West, and they often have a very broad knowledge spanning several disciplines. Their expertise is, however, generally less deep than that of the practitioners in Japan. I call it a ‘–‘ type of knowledge.
But what if we could combine the best of both worlds? This is where the concept of “ T-shaped “ expertise comes into play. The vertical bar of the 'T' represents deep mastery in a single field, much like the Japanese model of learning. The horizontal bar represents the ability to collaborate across disciplines and apply knowledge in areas beyond one's primary field, echoing the Western way of thinking.
Embracing T-shaped skills encourages not only deep, focused learning but also fosters the versatility needed in our interconnected and rapidly changing world. It suggests that perhaps, the most enriching path forward doesn't lie in choosing between depth and breadth, but in integrating both into our personal and professional development.
Speaking of blending depth with breadth, a personal anecdote : Several years ago, I had the unique opportunity to work on the calligraphy for the cover of a French translation of Miyamoto Musashi's 'The Thirty-five Instructions on Strategy'. Though not as widely known as his other work, 'The Book of Five Rings', that book offers an intriguing glimpse into Musashi's pragmatic approach to strategy. Written prior to 'The Book of Five Rings', it serves almost as a draft or preliminary version, filled with practical advice that predates his more philosophical musings.
Musashi is Japan’s most famous swordsman, but he was not just skilled in the art of combat! He also left behind a legacy of remarkable ink paintings, carvings and calligraphies, truly embodying the essence of T-shaped skills.
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