在日圓不斷貶值、引發美日政府聯手救市的今天，全世界已經對日本國力留下衰退的印象。即使日本首相高市早苗不斷以大破大立的手段，試圖扭轉自泡沫經濟以來積弱不振的日本國內景氣，但壓在頂頭的少子化和僵固的形式主義，依舊像烏雲般籠罩在日本國運上空。
與上述唱衰觀點截然不同，《梅乾與武士刀》一書是由真心熱愛、讚揚日本文物的考古學者樋口清之所著。藉由他窮盡一生的文物探索和歷史考證所累積的發現，向讀者分享日本人獨創、有別於西方科學的、與大自然共生共榮的奇思巧技。身處在地震、颱風等災禍環繞的土地上，加上東方特有的敬天惜物風俗民情交互影響下，日本傳統的科學精神，不是歐美人所持的人定勝天，而是取法自然、順應環境的天人合一。
書中提及許多例子，像是運用石頭、原木所築成的河壩，相較於現代普通的水泥結構，更加環保、耐用，又相當美觀，能呈現出河川自然的風貌。在衣著方面，傳統的蓑衣、木屐，特別適合多雨潮溼的氣候，由自然素材製作，更有著極佳的透氣性和零汙染。反觀今日以塑膠材質製作的雨衣、鞋款，穿著過久容易讓人產生皮膚濕疹等困擾，不禁令你我省思，哪邊才是真正的進步呢？
書中舉出許多看似老掉牙，實際卻優於現代作法的人事物，涵蓋飲食、衣著，甚至是都市規劃等。作者主張，這些證據證明日本民族擁有優秀的開創性思維，能因地制宜地發明出像武士刀一樣兼具美感和實用性的生活用品，獨步全球。在世界各國一味追求經濟發展的今天，人類對自然環境持續造成不可逆的傷害，人和土地、森林和海洋的距離是越拉越遠，只能生活在由水泥、金屬打造而成的現代叢林。對比書中提及的古老智慧，人們真的是更進步嗎？
Today, as the Japanese yen continues to lose value and the Japanese and U.S. governments work together to stabilize the market, people around the world have begun to see Japan as a country in decline. Even though Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, has repeatedly tried to turn the country’s struggling economy around with major reforms, Japan still faces serious problems such as a declining birth rate and a rigid culture of formalities. These problems continue to hang over the country like dark clouds.
However, *Umeboshi and the Samurai Sword* presents a very different view of Japan. The book was written by Kiyoyuki Higuchi, an archaeologist who deeply loved and admired Japanese cultural artifacts. Based on what he discovered through a lifetime of studying artifacts and researching history, Higuchi shares many unique ideas and practical skills developed by the Japanese. These ideas are different from Western science in some ways and focus on living in harmony with nature. Living in a land surrounded by natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, and influenced by the traditional Eastern values of respecting nature and avoiding waste, the Japanese developed a traditional scientific spirit that was different from the idea of “conquering nature.” Instead, they learned from nature and adapted themselves to their environment.
The book gives many examples. For instance, some river dams were built using stones and logs. Compared with ordinary modern concrete structures, these traditional methods can be more environmentally friendly and durable, while also looking more natural and fitting better into the landscape of the river. When it comes to clothing, traditional rain capes made from natural materials and wooden sandals were especially suitable for Japan’s rainy and humid climate. They were highly breathable and produced almost no pollution. In contrast, modern raincoats and shoes made from plastic materials can cause problems such as skin irritation when worn for too long. This makes us stop and think: **What is real progress?**
The book introduces many things that may seem old-fashioned but can actually be better than some modern methods, including food, clothing, and even urban planning. The author argues that these examples show the Japanese people’s creativity and ability to adapt to their environment. They were able to create practical everyday products, such as the samurai sword, that combined beauty and usefulness in a way that was unique in the world. Today, countries around the world continue to pursue economic growth, while human beings are causing irreversible damage to the natural environment. We are becoming increasingly distant from the land, forests, and oceans, and are left living in a modern jungle made of concrete and metal. Compared with the ancient wisdom described in the book, **are we really more advanced than people in the past?**
