Creativity: The Writer as Transmitter and the Recipient as Reconstructor -The Dual Structure and the Imagination that Bridges the Gap between Them
Authors: Hiramatsu Yuko 
Published: June 2024

This study examines creation by information recipients by the linguistic landscape survey in Nikko, a World Heritage Site in Japan. Linguistic landscape refers to the language signs along public roads. We can see traditional Japanese ways there. Old Japanese sometimes used a part of the ancient poems as a common culture in their poem, and from there, they created a double emotion of their own compositions and the ancient poems. This is a proactive and creative method in which the recipient adds a new vision to the one created by the creator/sender of the information. It is said Japanese language has a strong recipient-responsibility tendency, in which the recipient should take the initiative in grasping the meaning. A world-famous example is the stone garden at Ryoanji Temple in Kyoto. The stones and sand remind the viewers of large natural bodies of water and mountains. The creator assumed that those who see it will be actively involved and imagine. This tradition remains in Nikko roadside. For example, "Akebono(dawn)" is written on the board, as a name of a confectionery. When Japanese people look at the word "Akebono”, they remember the beginning of the Pillow Book, "Spring is Dawn (is best)”. Strawberry sweet reminds them of the beautiful dawn of spring. This is a double structure and is one of the manifestations in the Japanese culture of "Mitate". The pedestrians who walk along the road, are reminded of their cultural backgrounds, and there they pause to think and savor the double structure. It is the creation by the recipient that bridges the gap between the two. The uniqueness is not created by the creator, but rather the shared one is used to expand the imagination and share the senses. Considering tourism information application, it is not enough for such a creation. Applications provide as much detailed information as possible. Such information may be useful before the trip. However, when tourists stand in front of some stores, do they need detailed information about inside by smartphone? What is needed is for tourists to stop in front of the store. It is important that they are actively interested. Rather, it is also effective to leave the information incomplete (Zeigarnik effect). Novelty is required in tourism.However, in traditional Japanese cultural areas such as Nikko, where foreign tourists are increasing, the recipients do not have the same cultural background as senders of information. A major challenge is how to have a creative space for those who do not make common knowledge. There are three possibilities.Standardization is underway in the global. There is a possibility of new "Mitate" based on the commonality of the standardized parts.Foreign tourists will know the Japanese way of seeing things as repeaters.The "Mitate" will not be established. However, each visitor will create something new from what he/she has obtained. (Horizon of Expectation)Any or more of these are possible. Creation is in the hands of both the creator and the recipient.