Wa - Harmony
The essential value of harmony in relationships, community, and with nature.
Wa represents the ideal of harmony - within oneself, among people, and between humans and nature. Maintaining wa requires sensitivity, compromise, and consideration for others. It is the social expression of the cosmic harmony the kami maintain.
Wa is the spirit that holds heaven, earth, and humanity in harmonious union.
Wa remains central to Japanese social ethics and business culture.
Nihon Shoki
Written about in
- What Shinto says about conflict with people close to you
Wa is the goal, and Prince Shotoku's constitution puts it first. Be clear about the price: maintaining wa is defined as sensitivity and compromise, which in practice often means the injured person absorbs the damage to keep the peace.