【日本樂散步】: 識貨人

 

Chion

 

對歷史古舊的東西不感冒,百年老店,只記得香港原創的雙妺嘜(1898 年創立)及李錦記(1888 年)、北京的同仁堂(1669  年)、廣東的王老吉(1828年)4 間。在立國快150年的加拿大,只想到差不多百年歷史的 Canadian Tire。所以當見到某些日本老店,創立 3、4百年還人氣不減,真是嚇了一大跳,對我來說50年已是老店!

「人氣不減」」的意思就是在創業第一代先祖,到現在守著店N代子孫的經營下生意還好好,市場需求還在發展增長中。日本經營一百年以上的老舖約有十萬間,二百年以上約有三千間,千年老字號有 7 間,可能更多。其中於 578 年創業,有 1438 年老字號的金剛組(建築業)是全世界最古老的企業。日本 3 大名園:偕樂園、兼樂園、後樂園都是出自他們。原來全世界 8 成創業最久的老字號都在日本,是否有點不能相信?

在科技日新月異的日本,人民還是對古老的東西超熱愛,有著深厚的感情。老字號多有著清澈目標和忠誠不變宗旨,對守著傳統有點固執,因此讓這些傳統之味有著高級、安心及極品的形像。老字號的品牌貨品,多數比起一般同類的貨品貴,因為要付出相應的人工、時間、材料及服務去做到一致優秀質量,不能偷工減料。所以一直有人支持購買老店老舖最「正」最「好」的東西,這認同讓老字號屹立不倒幾百年,從遠古的飛鳥、江戶時代到二十世紀也可以繼續經營下去,很多還是天天大排長龍,預約困難。幾百年了,在戰爭、天災人禍、經濟市場變化、人口分佈流動的種種百變因素下,這些為數不少的老店還存在,繼續成為人民生活的一部份。真只是因爲守著「不變」應萬變的原則?

是「不變」,對客人忠誠的信念,對全力做出來最好產品的原則,原味都沒有變。變的是經營方法,人事管理,產品更新也配合時代需求等。

浮世繪畫師喜多川歌麿在「婦人留宿客」畫了西川製造的近江紅邊綠蚊帳

來看看日本的西川產業這 1566 年創業,有著 450 年歷史専賣床上用品的超老企業,事業發展是第二代西川先生發明近江紅邊綠蚊帳開始。西川先生因客戶需要而抬著蚊悵遠由近江賣到關東,幫助人們睡得好。西川後人又為平民百姓製造輕便綿被,西川已變成是日本綿被的代名詞。同很多老字號一樣,西川一直有著優質高價的印象,戶客多是集中於長期愛用的年長客人。近年因巿場競爭劇烈而銷售量突減,一度面臨破產危機。

年輕新一代的西川社長很努力收集最新好懷消息,盡快配合市場需要作出回應;增設睡眠研究所,不斷研究生產令體感涼快或舒適新素材等,製造新床上用品令人睡得更舒服;開設專門店,貼身訂做適合個人的枕頭;製造睡眠休息輕音樂椅;連結指導商店街零售老店,設立相談診所、翻新舊綿被等,一對一協助客人全面改善睡眠品質。他深知道商品不能不革新,為了守護這百年傳統產業,用了一年時間死纏爛打說服不接受另類創新產品的幹事們,最後一齊創造設計新穎、輕便合年輕人口味的紅黑健康床墊,渡過經營的危機。西川以守傳統續而革新的原則,守著什麼可以變及什麼不可以改變的「買者賣者世間全滿足的商務」宗旨。幫助每位客人有優質睡眠宗旨不變,而不斷挑戰改革產品服務。

講起老字號,有一本超「老」巨著,出版快 2000 年了,到現在還是全世界銷售第一!就是「聖經」,過去現在地球上最多人讀過,最多翻譯本的書。由手抄在皮革上到數碼化,由古典的文言書寫到容易明白的現代譯本,外在包裝不停在改變,但是聖經的內容卻千古「不變」,一直能讓每時代每族裔的讀者都產生共鳴。只有一個宗旨,造物主要告訴祂愛著的人類得救恩的方法,「神愛世人,甚至將他的獨生子賜給他們,叫一切信祂的,不至滅亡,反得永生。」 (約翰福音3:16)。聖經是不變全能全知神的話,「聖經都是神所默示的。」(提摩太後書3:16),「真理」才能抵得上時代的變遷。滿滿人生智慧、印證歷史預言、以愛及救恩連結永恆、最「正」最「好」的聖經,識貨的人要常常讀!

優質好的東西不一定長久存在,要有配合天時地利人和。能存留百年千年的老字號多是優秀的,因劣質早已被日子洗滌過濾,剩下最好。愛用老字號的顧客多是真正的識貨人,如果那一件物品或服務不是合乎價值的或能提高使用者身價,誰會花多幾陪的價錢買一樣東西,消費者是聰明的。同樣,會花一生的時間去讀聖經的識貨人,一定從中了解到神的智慧及愛!

 

      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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