Eng 
日本語 
Wondering Magokoro meaning and how Japanese people use it? Worry not, we are here to help you.
Magokoro: a true heart – a heart with no deception or a façade – Sincerity. “To put your heart in a gift”. “Devote one’s heart to something.”
Right after I graduated from a university, I landed my first job and met the first boss in my life – Mrs. S. “Mrs. S” – was more than twelve years older than me, a hard-working head of our personnel department.
During the first year of my working life I was unable to handle even a simple job, therefore, in order to protect myself from being crushed by the contrast between the ideal me and the real me, I became judgmental against the company and the work.
All I was saying was “I didn’t come here just to do such things!”, or “I think it’s the wrong way to do it!”. I guess I was a bothersome brat for Mrs. S who had the cultivation of her subordinates among her work duties.
Yet, she would patiently answer all my questions quieting me, appeasing me again and again.
There was a custom in the company of sending excellent workers to Hawaii as an encouragement. Mrs. S was sent there a few years later.
That year, I was in the climax of my rebellious period: I did an unexpected afro hairstyle, I would go to work wearing a kind of national costume, and so on. That period full of quarrels with Mrs. S and I don’t want to remember it.
When Mrs. S returned from the trip, she gave me a souvenir despite my undisguised revolt. I found a necklace with a blue stone in her packet along with a message card.
“I think the blue suit that you wore at work once suit you well. You look great in suits. I’ll wait until you grow. Troublesome kids are cuter, they say.”
I was surprised and felt shame, but I wasn’t sincere at that time so I don’t remember thanking her.
Time passes, and I quit that company and changed few companies since then, I had different bosses over me, and I was a boss once.
Mrs. S has died in a traffic accident right before her marriage. My age today is greater than Mrs. S of that period.
This blue stone is the symbol of my Magokoro. When I’m in doubts, I’d ask the stone. Are those words or deeds intended for my partners or just my ego? What would Mrs. S do if she were me?
About the Author: Ayana Nezu has a long history in education and training. In 2017, she joined Coto Language Academy – her first time in a Japanese Language School.
She currently is based at our Azabu Coto Japanese Club location and is recently obsessed with Rakugo.
Looking to learn more daily Japanese? Learn more about our part-time courses by clicking the link below.
