“Light” and “Shadow” of Shumi-en : A study on the ambiguity of the connection based on the commonality of hobbies

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  • 趣味縁の「光」と「影」 : 「好き」に基づくつながりの両義性
  • シュミエン ノ 「 ヒカリ 」 ト 「 カゲ 」 : 「 スキ 」 ニ モトズク ツナガリ ノ リョウギセイ

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[SUMMARY] A Shumi-en is a connection between people based on the commonality of their hobbies or interests. Shumi-en has gradually gained prominence in Japan with social individualisation and the increasing importance of cultural identity. However, most of the research to date has focused on the positive effects of Shumi-en, and there has lacked examination of the negative aspects and study comparing the bright and dark sides. Therefore, this paper analyses both the positive and negative aspects of Shumi-en, relying on previous research. As a result, it became clear that there is ambiguity in the various properties of Shumi-en that are expected to have some effect. Previous research has mainly focused on the positive aspects of Shumi-en. For example, there are such that it allows people to freely choose whether to enter or leave, that it is non-binding and open-ended ties, and that they are ties that will enable multiple belongings and bridging social capital. On the other hand, examining the negative aspects, I found that there were the following properties; a possibility of disparity in the acquisition of connections, uncertainty such as ambiguity of qualifications, concerns about members hiding their heterogeneity from each other, and the exclusivity and binding stem from the feeling of “liking” that is the trigger for Shumien. In other words, the light properties of Shumi-en can be the shadow properties simultaneously, as free-choice requires interpersonal skills. Human relationships based on shared values and sympathy will continue to expand and grow in importance in todayʼs Japanese society. The ambiguity of Shumi-en will provide some suggestions for such a way of connecting, which will grow in the future.

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