Apply age old Japanese aesthetic principles to enhance your creativity

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Japanese Aesthetic Principle 1 Simplicity — Simplicity – Japanese aesthetic 1

7 Japanese Aesthetic Principles

I have always loved Japanese design. Asymmetry has always appealed to me. Japanese clothing adopts asymmetry like no other culture I’ve seen. It’s fabulous.

Japan was my first overseas destination. Combine with this me being 17, touring with a concert band, to a place I didn’t speak the language. It was marvellous. We visited so many fabulous places.

My interest in fashion had me looking at the clothes being worn in Japan and wondering why they were different to the clothes available in shops.

Japanese Aesthetic Asymmetry — Asymmetrical – Japanese Aesthetic 2

Looking into Japanese asymmetry recently I discovered 7 Japanese aesthetic principles:

Kanso – Simplicity
Fukinsei – Asymmetry
Shibui/Shibumi – Elegance
Shizen – Naturalness
Yugen – Subtlety
Datsuzoku – Freedom
Seijaku – Tranquility

Gold and blue elegant outfit — Elegance – Japanese Aesthetic 3

These elements have a beautiful peace about them. For me this is clearly embedded in Japanese culture and design. Expanding on these slightly –

Simplicity – reducing clutter to achieve clarity

Asymmetry – stylish design

Elegance – achieving beauty using understatement

Naturalness – creating an essence of nature with purpose and intention

Subtlety – applying suggestion rather than revelation

Freedom – breaking free of daily routine or habit – obtaining surprise & amazement from spontaneity

Tranquillity – achieving an energised calm (quiet), stillness and solitude.

An article by Garr Reynolds includes more information about the 7 Japanese aesthetic principles.

As I read through this list it seems these elements are factored into Japanese flower arranging – Ikebana. I also see them reflected in Japanese gardens and calligraphy.

Creating with the intention of replicating nature — Naturalness – Japanese Aesthetic 4

Experience For You

As I’m interested in giving readers’ experiences here’s something for you to apply to your latest project.

Think of a creative project you’re working on and consider what applying at least one of the 7 Japanese aesthetic principles would change. You can select the one that resonates most with you, or applying some or all, to see how your project may be redesigned. You may chose to select tranquillity or simplicity or my favourite asymmetry.

Let me know how applying Japanese aesthetics impacted your creative project.

Golden fish swimming in pond artwork — Subtlety – Japanese Aesthetic 5

Applying the 7 Japanese aesthetic principles

Any of these Japanese aesthetic elements can be applied in so many ways. Options are endless.

A home renovator who

removes paint from a wooden feature – simplicity
installs a wooden framed glass door – asymmetry
selects simple tapware – elegance
features a wall with pressed tin with flower designs – naturalness
repeats an element, like curves, throughout the design – subtlety
embraces the challenge of the renovation project – freedom
selects a floor tile colour inspired by the colour of eucalyptus leaves – tranquility

Freedom - without the bounds of habits — Freedom – Japanese Aesthetic 6

A musician who

plays out a clear melody – simplicity
picks a French Horn or Saxophone – Asymmetry
blends with the harmonies of the instruments – elegance
listens to the music grow and soften – naturalness
repeats the theme and variations – subtlety
feels the music and improvises – freedom
loves the beautiful tunes swirling around them – tranquility

Japanese Garden - Tranquility — Tranquility – Japanese Aesthetic 7

For more design concepts to inspire your creativity see Creative Thinking Processes.

Let me know how these Japanese aesthetics inspire you.