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Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method

Received: 14 November 2025     Accepted: 26 November 2025     Published: 29 December 2025
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Abstract

In modern society, the pursuit of well-being (WB) has become a crucial issue. This study aims to analytically elucidate the structure of WB concepts inherent in Japanese classical literature, particularly Matsuo Bashō's haiku, by applying engineering and mathematical methods. Specifically, using representative haiku by Bashō as the object of analysis, we model the psychological and philosophical elements underlying them as system components. We then utilize the "PlantUML C4 Model," used in software architecture description, to comprehensively visualize the components of WB concepts. Furthermore, we apply the "DEMATEL method (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)," one of the multi-criteria decision analysis techniques, to quantitatively identify causal relationships and influence levels among elements. This enables us to propose a multi-layered WB conceptual model unique to Japanese culture, encompassing "harmony with nature," "paradoxical integration of emotions," and "sustainable fulfillment through introspection" as demonstrated in Bashō's haiku. This research suggests possibilities for interdisciplinary fusion between classical literary studies and systems engineering, and contributes to the spiritual richness of modern people by presenting a new perspective on WB based on Eastern thought.

Published in Languages, Literatures and Cultures (Volume 2, Issue 1)
DOI 10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12
Page(s) 17-42
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Bashō, Well-being, C4 Model, DEMATEL Method, Haiku, Silence, Mindfulness, Systems Analysis, Interdisciplinary Research

References
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[8] Ueda, M. (1982). Matsuo Bashō. Twayne Publishers.
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[12] Bradburn, N. M. (1969). The Structure of Psychological WellBeing. Aldine.
[13] Maeno, T. (2013) Shiawase no Mekanizumu (Mechanism of Happiness). Kodansha Gendai Shinsho.
[14] Shimai, T. (2006) Positive Shinrigaku (Positive Psychology). Nakanishiya Shuppan.
[15] Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life. Hyperion.
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[24] Liu, C. (2014) DEMATEL Hō ni yoru Ishikettei Shien (Decision Support by DEMATEL Method). JUSE Press.
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[26] Brown, S. (2020). The C4 Model for Visualising Software Architecture.
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Okumura, O. (2025). Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method. Languages, Literatures and Cultures, 2(1), 17-42. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12

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    ACS Style

    Okumura, O. Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method. Lang. Lit. Cult. 2025, 2(1), 17-42. doi: 10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12

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    AMA Style

    Okumura O. Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method. Lang Lit Cult. 2025;2(1):17-42. doi: 10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12,
      author = {Osamu Okumura},
      title = {Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method},
      journal = {Languages, Literatures and Cultures},
      volume = {2},
      number = {1},
      pages = {17-42},
      doi = {10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.llc.20260201.12},
      abstract = {In modern society, the pursuit of well-being (WB) has become a crucial issue. This study aims to analytically elucidate the structure of WB concepts inherent in Japanese classical literature, particularly Matsuo Bashō's haiku, by applying engineering and mathematical methods. Specifically, using representative haiku by Bashō as the object of analysis, we model the psychological and philosophical elements underlying them as system components. We then utilize the "PlantUML C4 Model," used in software architecture description, to comprehensively visualize the components of WB concepts. Furthermore, we apply the "DEMATEL method (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)," one of the multi-criteria decision analysis techniques, to quantitatively identify causal relationships and influence levels among elements. This enables us to propose a multi-layered WB conceptual model unique to Japanese culture, encompassing "harmony with nature," "paradoxical integration of emotions," and "sustainable fulfillment through introspection" as demonstrated in Bashō's haiku. This research suggests possibilities for interdisciplinary fusion between classical literary studies and systems engineering, and contributes to the spiritual richness of modern people by presenting a new perspective on WB based on Eastern thought.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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    T1  - Structural Analysis of Well-being Concepts in Matsuo Bashō's Haiku: An Interdisciplinary Approach Using PlantUML C4 Model and DEMATEL Method
    AU  - Osamu Okumura
    Y1  - 2025/12/29
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.llc.20260201.12
    T2  - Languages, Literatures and Cultures
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    AB  - In modern society, the pursuit of well-being (WB) has become a crucial issue. This study aims to analytically elucidate the structure of WB concepts inherent in Japanese classical literature, particularly Matsuo Bashō's haiku, by applying engineering and mathematical methods. Specifically, using representative haiku by Bashō as the object of analysis, we model the psychological and philosophical elements underlying them as system components. We then utilize the "PlantUML C4 Model," used in software architecture description, to comprehensively visualize the components of WB concepts. Furthermore, we apply the "DEMATEL method (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)," one of the multi-criteria decision analysis techniques, to quantitatively identify causal relationships and influence levels among elements. This enables us to propose a multi-layered WB conceptual model unique to Japanese culture, encompassing "harmony with nature," "paradoxical integration of emotions," and "sustainable fulfillment through introspection" as demonstrated in Bashō's haiku. This research suggests possibilities for interdisciplinary fusion between classical literary studies and systems engineering, and contributes to the spiritual richness of modern people by presenting a new perspective on WB based on Eastern thought.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Systems Engineering Department, Haiku Systems Research Association, Tokyo, Japan

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