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Comment by skissane | Hacker News Reader

> I can hardly remember an example of FOSS from Japan except for CrystalDiskInfo.

The programming language Ruby has to be the most famous Japanese open source software of them all

Another example is OpenToonz[0], which is one of the animation tools used by Studio Ghibli and developed in collaboration with Studio Ghibli, another Japanese company called Dwango, and an Italian company called Digital Video. Although, Digital Video does have a premium, paid version called Toonz[1].

0: https://opentoonz.github.io/e/

1: https://www.toonzpremium.com/

Less broadly known than Ruby but the late Itojun[1] and the KAME project[2] also put an inordinate amount of effort into adding IPv6 and IPsec support to the BSDs.

[1] https://www.icann.org/en/blogs/details/rest-in-peace-itojun-...

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAME_project

Of course that is because Matz is nice.

It's never really occurred to me before, but Matz is Mormon, right? I wonder if that informed his decisions differently than if he were heavily influenced by Buddhist or Shintoist thinking, as the larger population does. It would be fascinating to see if there is any correlation between alternative religions and approaches to software in Japan.

Feels like there is a heavy influence of Buddhist thought (mindfulness) on the silicon valley community.

Perhaps people that come from minority spiritual communities have to "think different?"

Are you saying Buddhist thinking helps SV or hurts Japan? Or both?

I'm not sure, I'm someone that has studied a little Buddhism, and lived in Japan, but I don't live in SV and haven't lived in Japan for almost 30 years. I am just pointing out that it is notable that Matz is probably the most well known Japanese software engineer, and he is Mormon, and wondering if that influenced his thinking. And, if "that" was because he had a very different spiritual experience in Japan. Or, perhaps, wondering more generally, if "anyone, anywhere having an non-majority spiritual experience" puts you into a mode of thinking that leads to exciting outcomes, such as inventing an amazing language like Ruby!

It's more of a work culture, I think. Remember the swordsmiths, potters, builders, etc., their dedication and know hows. People are used to this and respect this. Noone blames them. And over centuries the culture of masters, schools and trade secrets only hardened. It's not a surprise these practices are hard to let go of.

>Perhaps people that come from minority spiritual communities have to "think different?"

Christians are only 1% of Japan, but eight prime ministers have been Christian! <https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/a-chr...>

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