The newest environmental music video from Great Leap, featuring music by Nobuko, directed & edited by Dan Kwong. If you like our video and would like to support our mission, please donate at: www.greatleap.org
I taught the concept of Mottainai with my kindergarten class and showed them this video. They loved it! They kept asking to hear it and could sing along to the chorus. We also read the story, "Mottainai Grandma" and made birdfeeders out of milk cartons in the spirit of Mottainai.
This is spook what I grew up hearing from my Grams. We were recycling way before I even heard the word...teased by a cousin because I was washing ziploc bags when they first came out. I still wash and reuse them--until they get a puka in them. Thanks for the great teachings Grams!
I’m doing this for a Japanese assignment in class and whenever my friend and I heard this song and at “Ohhh motainai” we would do paper scissors ✂️ rock!! 😂
I hope this goes viral and hits mainstream TV too!!! We all need to become more aware of what we use and how it could be reused before being tossed...um...recycled.
To get this video I think you need to be JA (Japanese-American) and to have grown up with your mom, aunties and grandmas constantly telling you it's "mottanai" to waste anything. They all went through tough times when basic needs were very scarce and appreciate everything they have. Although sometimes they do get carried away with keeping everything . .:)
I think maybe you don't get it so much if you're not Japanese, or familiar with Japanese people and the culture - but the overall message is pretty clear, yes? The Great Leap has other conservational videos out there also, and other music that mixes cultures and genres. They're pretty awesome.
Thanks for this catchy reminder ... It's so true that Obaachans and Ojiichans, too, used to recycle before it was fashionable. How well I remember the balls of string that we laughed over - until we needed string!
NEMIS12, thanks for your honest reply, actually do appreciate it. For what it's worth, the song is based on a traditional Japanese folk song structure & style. Please check out the newest environmental music video ("CYCLES OF CHANGE") on Great Leap's channel and let me know if you think it sucks as bad as this one...
