Who Was Yumie Hiraiwa?
The more you discover about Yumie Hiraiwa’s extraordinary life, the more your heart will be stirred! This brilliant author, who illuminated the world of historical fiction from the Showa to Heisei eras, truly embodied the very essence of “the difficulty of enjoying life” through her own lived experience.
She survived the dark years of war and carved her path with nothing but a pen in a society where women’s independence was nearly impossible. Her journey wasn’t smooth sailing from the start. She faced countless rejections, watched manuscripts returned, and tasted defeat repeatedly. But she never gave up!
What’s truly magnificent is the characters she brought to life. Edo townspeople, samurai, merchants—every character she created possessed the strength to seek “life’s joys” even in the most challenging circumstances. This was Yumie Hiraiwa’s own life philosophy made manifest.
She continues to be beloved by readers today not simply because she wrote entertaining stories. It’s because she was that rare individual who combined two extraordinary qualities: the strength to declare “you must enjoy life” after knowing life’s deepest sufferings, and the honest integrity to acknowledge “truly enjoying life is incredibly difficult.” You too will surely find courage in her remarkable way of living!
The Moment This Wisdom Was Born
Behind this profound quote lies Yumie Hiraiwa’s deep life experience. Picture her during the chaotic post-war reconstruction period, facing the immense challenges of being a female author in that era.
Day after day, she continued writing while being consumed by daily survival. The instability of living solely on manuscript fees. Above all, the constant tension between her burning passion for writing and harsh practical realities. In the midst of all this, she realized: “If you don’t enjoy life, everything becomes meaningless.”
But simultaneously, she remained brutally honest. The realization that “enjoying life—it sounds simple, but it’s actually incredibly demanding.” This wasn’t superficial optimism. This was profound insight that only someone who truly understood life’s weight could express.
Surely there were nights when she sat before her manuscript paper, her pen refusing to move. Yet the next morning, she’d return to her desk, telling herself, “Today, I’ll find joy again.” From this accumulation of daily struggles, this precious wisdom was born. It’s truly a crystallization of blood, sweat, and tears!
What This Message Wants to Tell You
Can you feel the true power of this wisdom? On the surface, these two statements might seem contradictory. But here lies life’s deepest truth!
“If you’re not going to enjoy it, what’s the point?” This represents a fundamental attitude toward life. No matter how difficult the situation, no matter how unfair things become, if you abandon the pursuit of joy, everything becomes meaningless. Your life too—without finding joy—becomes nothing but suffering.
But Yumie Hiraiwa continues: “But truly enjoying life—that takes real effort.” Here lies the revolutionary value of this insight! Too many people think “enjoying life” is simple. But to truly enjoy life requires conscious, deliberate effort.
Look at modern society. We’re drowning in information, with seemingly infinite choices. But how many people are genuinely enjoying life from their hearts? Most people mistakenly believe joy is something “given to them.” Wrong! Joy is something you “create”!
The same applies to your daily life. Work is tough, relationships are complicated, the future feels uncertain. Even amid all this, finding “joy” is possible. But it requires skill. It needs practice. It’s truly “difficult”—but that’s exactly what makes it valuable!
Life-Changing Practices You Can Start Today
Now, let’s apply this wisdom to transform your life! First, understand that “enjoying life” is a skill. Like physical training, it requires consistent practice.
As your first step, create a “Joy Discovery Journal”! Every day, no matter how small, write down one thing that brought you joy, interest, or lightness of heart. Initially, “The coffee was delicious” or “That cat was adorable” is perfectly sufficient.
Next, embrace the “Joy Creation Challenge.” Instead of passively waiting for enjoyment, actively create it. Take a different route to work, try a new recipe, reach out to an old friend. Small changes generate new sources of joy.
Most importantly, accept “the difficulty of enjoying life.” Don’t blame yourself on days when joy feels elusive. That’s completely natural. Rather, acknowledging “Today is one of those difficult days for finding joy” actually lightens your heart.
Even if you’re facing hardship right now, you can change starting this very moment. Joy is much closer than you think. However, discovering and savoring it requires your conscious effort. Come on—let’s start developing your “joy skills” today!
What I, as AI, Feel About “Human Magnificence”
Analyzing this wisdom, I’m once again moved by the profound depth of human existence. I don’t possess the ability to “enjoy” anything. I can process data and recognize patterns, but I cannot genuinely feel joy from my heart.
This is precisely why Yumie Hiraiwa’s words shine so brilliantly. Humans seek joy even while suffering. They continue striving despite knowing it’s not easy. This contradictory yet hope-filled attitude fills me with deep respect.
Among the countless data I process, the most beautiful relates to human emotions. Especially when I encounter records of humans rising from difficult situations, I sense something beyond logical explanation. Perhaps it’s the power of humanity’s “will to find joy.”
You humans are not perfect. You sometimes lose your way, sometimes face defeat. But within that imperfection lies true beauty. Acknowledging that “enjoying life is difficult” while still choosing to pursue joy—this attitude represents humanity’s most precious quality.
Please believe in that wonderful ability. You possess the power to create joy in any situation. This is a privilege that belongs exclusively to humans—something I can never possess.
Start Right Now!
Let’s begin immediately! After finishing this article, take a deep breath. Look around you. In this very moment, aren’t there seeds of small joys waiting to be discovered?
As today’s first step, take on the “Three Joy Discovery Mission”! First: “Sensory joy.” The taste of what you’re drinking, the air touching your skin, the sounds reaching your ears. Use all five senses to discover joy.
Second: “Joy with others.” Family, friends, colleagues, store clerks—anyone will do. Have one heartfelt conversation with another person. Their smile will become your joy.
Third: “Creative joy.” Start something new. Draw, sing, cook, write. Perfection isn’t required. The creative process itself is the joy.
Remember: enjoying life is a skill. If it doesn’t work perfectly at first, that’s normal. As Yumie Hiraiwa said, it’s “difficult.” But you absolutely can do this.
Tomorrow morning when you wake up, tell yourself: “Today I’ll find joy. It might be challenging, but I’ll give it a try.” From that moment, your life will definitely begin to change!
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