Category: Haiku

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Compassion, COVID-19 and cultural attitudes towards mental health

mental health awareness week nature theme

The following haiku was written by our teammate Christina* in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16th May), we wanted to acknowledge how the COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated mental health globally. 

May 9th is also Mother’s Day in Japan. During lockdown, founder/designer Yumi began disassembling her mother’s kimonos, which helped her reconnect with her family, her cultural heritage but also herself in these times of isolation. Our interest in sparking meaningful interpersonal and cross-cultural dialog means we cannot overlook how differently cultures deal with mental health issues. While mental health has become less taboo in many Western cultures in recent years, in Japan mental health continues to carry a stigma, which further burdens victims and their loved ones. 

In Japanese society, struggling with mental health is conceived as something shameful because it represents an inability or a lack of willpower to control oneself. In that sense, the expectation is that patients or their families, rather than professionals, should deal with these issues. Though treatments are available, nearly two-thirds of patients never seek out professional help.

In the face of rising suicide rates, Tetsushi Sakamoto was named as Japan’s first Minister for Loneliness by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Indeed, in October 2020, Japan experienced a 70% increase in female suicides alone. Similarly to the UK, Japan has adopted measures to address loneliness amidst the pandemic.

The WHO reported that over 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide, but many do not receive treatment due to stigma, discrimination, and neglect.

As lockdown comes to an end in the UK, Japan’s situation is a kind reminder that COVID-19 is a global issue and we must keep exercising compassion and looking out for one another. 

In July 2020, a KFF Health Tracking Poll reported the stress associated with the pandemic was prompting negative impacts on wellbeing including difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%). In the long-run, the pandemic also increases exposure to isolation and job loss, which are associated with poor mental health outcomes.

Between March 2020 and February 2021, in the UK loneliness rose from 10 to 26%. Even during the summer of 2020, when most restrictions were lifted, reported loneliness did not return to its pre-lockdown levels.Combating loneliness is crucial for mental health because human connections provide us emotional support and allow us to cope better. In February 2021, 13% of surveyed UK adults reported having thoughts about suicide in the previous two weeks, an increase of 5 points from April 2020. 


To extend our commitment to sustainability in our personal sources of energy (Ki), we give back a percentage of proceeds to the mental health charity Mind. Read more about their everyday tips for dealing with mental health and for helping others around you and check out their guides for hotlines and support.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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The ghosts of our clothes: time for an ethical Fashion Revolution

Haiku by ethical brands for fashion revolution

“the clothes you wear have ghosts on them, the histories of those who made them”

4649.REC has been discussing the way the clothes we own carry the stories of those who have worn them before us. However, we cannot overlook just how much those who make our clothing contribute to their stories, as well. 

In remembrance of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building hosting several garment factories in Bangladesh 8 years ago today (24th April 2013), 4649.REC has shared yet another of our team member Christina’s beautiful haikus*. We want to pay tribute to the 1,134 people lost during this tragedy and bring attention to the workers in the fast fashion industry, who often suffer exploitative conditions to keep clothing prices low. 

What is Fashion Revolution?

The Rana Plaza building collapse is the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. Fashion Revolution was founded in the wake of this tragedy and launched the #WhoMadeMyClothes movement, urging the fashion industry to respect human rights and increase transparency throughout the production chain. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 300 million people work in the clothing industry, a vast majority of them being women. The vast majority live in poverty and do not have the freedom to negotiate their working conditions. In fact, in 2018, the Global Slavery Index reported that the garment industry is the second sector driving modern slavery.

In the context of COVID-19, garment worker’s rights and transparency are a particularly salient issue. Research by the Traidcraft Exchange highlighted how most of the countries where garments are being produced do not have the economic resources necessary to support the large number of unemployed workers, leaving many food insecure. Indeed, in last year in March an estimated $1.44 Billion US dollars worth of payments were cancelled or withheld in Bangladesh alone. In the midst of a pandemic, this means the healthcare infrastructure will also struggle to care for the sick.

On this day, in accordance with the values of Fashion Revolution, we wish to amplify the voices of garment workers which are too often overlooked. You can hear more about the stories of garment workers or by following the #IMadeYourClothes movement. 

What can you do to help?

Here, at 4649.REC, we value harmony, respect and sincerity and believe it is time for an ethical fashion revolution. Read and sign the Fashion Revolution manifesto here.

Fashion should be a celebration of people, of cultural diversity and of life. If you, too, want bring about a fashion industry which values people and the planet above profits, learn more about how you can get involved. 

Let’s make ethical and sustainable choices when filling our wardrobe as our favorite stores re-open and let us know what you consider to make a fashion brand ethical? Share your thoughts with us and let’s start our conversation.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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Haikus for Mother’s Day

the tenderness of
spring; unfolding, forgiving
I watch this in you

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of brief, non-rhyming lines that elicit natural imagery. Haiku can be written in a number of short verse styles, the most popular of which is a three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable sequence. Traditionally, haiku poetry discusses nature themes and imagery describing a particular season or changes in the natural world throughout the year. 

Some key terminology:

  • On (“sounds”): Japanese haikus contain 17 on. 
  • Kigo (a word or phrase that places the haiku in a particular season): for instance, Sakura (“cherry blossoms”) for spring, fuji (“wisteria”) for summer, tsuki (“moon”) for autumn, and samushi (“cold”) for winter.
  • Kireji (the “cutting word”): traditionally, kireji inserts a pause or a break in the poem’s flow, usually to contrast two images.

What are the origins of haiku?

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94)created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94) created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

Simultaneously, the haiku started to spread to France and to the Netherlands, and then to North America. American Beat poets of the 1950s were profoundly influenced by Eastern philosophy and haiku, as R.H. Blyth’s 1951 book Haiku demonstrates. 

Why are we sharing haikus?

Haikus are a world-renown art form of Japan. In our attempt to empower people from all cultural backgrounds and encourage them to reconnect with their heritage and family history, we are celebrating diversity as well as Mother’s Day. 

Lovingly crafted by our team member Christina Sophie Tring *, our haikus celebrate mothers and the special bond we develop with them throughout our lives. For our founder/designer Yumi, cutting up her mother’s vintage kimonos, which are attached to personal memories turned out to be a form of empowerment, which allowed her to engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen family ties. 4649.REC is not just a sustainable upcycling street wear collection, it attempts to spark that special feeling within people and share it with the world through its clothing pieces and accessories and through workshops, where you too, can learn to upcycle your clothes.

What other aspects of Japanese culture would you like to be celebrated by us? What forms of art from your culture do you feel an attachment to? Connect with us and let’s start our conversation. 

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work”