Japanese Aesthetics
Donald Keene (1922 - ) Japanologist, Japanese literature & culture, Professor Emeritus at Columbia University until 2011. Moved to Japan permanently and acquired Japanese citizenship in 2011.
Concepts of Japanese Aesthetics by Donald Keene Suggestion To allow the imagination room to expand To suggest rather than to state in full Power of suggestion in Haiku Room for imagination
Power of suggestion Furuike ya kawazu tobikomu mizu no oto An old pond A frog jumps in Sound of water
Irregularity Asymmetry Something incomplete is interesting Blank space has meaning Flower arrangement, haiku (5-7-5 syllables)
Irregularity Flower arrangement in Japanese style
Flower Arrangement Kado is a traditional Japanese art that was established in the mid 15 th century and has flourished since the 16 th century. Its origin is said to date from the sixth century when Buddhist priests offered flowers before Buddha. Its fundamental concept is to express the three elements of heaven, earth and mankind in a balanced composition using natural flowers.
Basic upright style flower arrangement In irregularity, Japanese find and see harmony and balance.
symmetrical Western style flower arrangement Beautiful from any direction
The Versailles Palace Garden
Symmetry
Simplicity Preference for understatement Short poems: haiku, 5-7-5 syllables Tanka, 5-7-5-7-7 syllables Simple settings for tea ceremony
Tea Ceremony Tea was first introduced into Japan from China in Nara period. (710-784) In the 15 th century it developed further more and established as an art form by Sen no Rikyu in the Muromachi period in the 16 th century.
Lacquer boxes for food Kaiseki ryori simple taste?
Pleasing to the eye?
Perishability Preference for impermanence Impermanence was a necessary element in beauty: Love for cherry blossoms is connected with the appreciation of perishability. Passage of time in nature
kintsugi Repairing ceramics with gold
wabi Simple refinement Serene Solitude Free from worldly concerns
sabi Quiet simplicity, Solitude Tranquility, Acquired grace with age, aged beauty
Wabi & Sabi
Wabi & Sabi
Image of wabi & sabi Saihō-ji Moss garden
Saihō-ji Moss Garden
Mono no aware (Pathos) An aesthetic response to the transience of beautiful things Gentle melancholy Pathos of life
Yūgen mysteriously deep and unfathomable
Nature Importance of nature The sense of harmony with nature The Japanese have viewed nature not as opposed to man but as a blessing under which he is allowed to live in harmony with his surroundings.
Why nature became important Long rice growing civilization clear-cut four seasons, temperate climate, abundant rainfall. Shinto belief in a superior and mysterious force of nature; The sacred called (kami) reside in natural elements Worship sacred trees, rocks, offering to guardian deity of the rice field, etc.
Nature Traditional Japanese houses are open to the yard, sliding paper doors, etc. Japanese value kokoro (spirit, heart, and soul); kokoro has been believed to dwell not only in human beings but also in physical objects. Based on this belief a great stress is placed upon a deep communion between people and nature.
Nobility of failure Heroes may lose the fight but admired for their courage and noble moral code. Lord Asano in 47 Royal Retainers
Nobility of failure A person is admired whose sincerity will not allow him to make the maneuvers and compromises that are often needed for mundane success.