Japanese Aesthetic Concepts

Question 1

Honshitsu / Seizui

Answer 1

(Hoan-sheet-sue / Say-we-zwee)

(The essence of Japanese design).

Honshitsu can be translated as the “real essence,” or the “essential qualities” of an object. It refers to the form of an object. Seizu has similar meanings, and is translated as “the pure, highly concentrated, essence” of a thing.

Question 2

Shizen

Answer 2

(She-zane)

(Imitating Mother Nature).

Shizen by itself means “nature” or “natural.” When the term is applied to arts and crafts, including modern designs, it also encompasses things that are made to look like they were made by nature.

Question 3

Shizenbi

Answer 3

(She-zane-bee)

(Nature’s standard of beauty).

Natural beauty.

Question 4

Wa

Answer 4

(Wah)

(Harmony in all things).

Harmony.

Question 5

Heisei

Answer 5

(Hay-ee-say-ee)

(The peaceful mind).

Tranquility.

Question 6

Ki

Answer 6

(Kee)

(Humility in wood).

Wood.

Question 7

Ishi

Answer 7

(Ee-she)

(The use of sabi stones).

Stone.

Question 8

Wara / Tatami

Answer 8

(Wah-rah / Tah-tah-me)

(The Sabi-ness of straw).

Wara = straw

Tatami = straw flooring/mat

Question 9

Take

Answer 9

(Tah-kay)

(The incredible bamboo).

Bamboo.

Question 10

Bukkyo

Answer 10

(Boo-k’yoh)

The impact of Buddhism.

Buddhism.

Question 11

Meisho / Deshi

Answer 11

(May-ee-shoh / Deh-she)

(The Master / Apprentice approach).

Meisho = Master

Deshi = Apprentice

Question 12

Kaizen

Answer 12

(Kigh-zane)

(Striving for perfection).

Continuous improvement.

Question 13

Kessaku

Answer 13

(Kase-sah-koo)

(Creating masterpieces).

1. ) One’s best or
2. ) A masterpiece.

Question 14

Kyubo

Answer 14

(Cue-boh)

(The poverty principle).

Poverty. Kyubo means poverty and refers to a lifestyle that was once help up by Buddhist philosophy and the Japanese government as the ideal for all people, including the ruling samurai class.

Question 15

Sabi

Answer 15

(Sah-bee)

(Savoring the “rust” of age).

Rust.

Question 16

Wabi

Answer 16

(Wah-bee)

(Desolate beauty).

A taste for the simple and the quiet.

Question 17

Shibui

Answer 17

(She-boo-ee)

(Eliminating the unessential).

Astringent, simple, conservative, rough, elegant, unaffected.

In it’s traditional sense, shibui beauty is beauty that is in perfect harmony with nature and has a tranquil effect upon the viewer. It suggests serenity and quiet luxury.

In modern-day electronics, shibui beauty is the result of products being reduced to their essence, having a surface color and texture that is serene, soothing, elegant, and sensual.

Question 18

Bigaku

Answer 18

(Bee-gah-koo)

(The growth of aestheticism).

Aesthetics.

Question 19

Kukan / Supesu

Answer 19

(Koo-kahn / Soo-pay-soo)

(Space is not empty).

Space (as in open space).

Unlike Westerners’, the Japanese don’t regard space as empty. In the Buddhist mind, space is an entity with four dimensions - height, length, width, and time. It does not need to be filled up to be functional or useful.

Question 20

Ma

Answer 20

(Mah)

(Mixing space and time).

Ma means space as well as time and refers to the space of time between events.