Japanese Aesthetics And Design Concepts

The architect gives the structure. The navigator sets the orientation and direction.

Our world is painted by contrast — in size, shape, orientation, position, describing depth and focal points, drapes with tone to illustrate value, strength, and varying degree, and drawing hue to bring forth colors and context.

Sometimes, the greatest source of creative solutions takes form only when we have a structure within to work with. The form defines the function, and it sets the framework and process. Jazz, for example, may seem like a free-for-all of creative expression without boundaries to those who are unfamiliar with it. In fact, there are rules and structure and boundaries that are “invisible” to the listener, and provides a liberating kind of “grid” for the musicians to communicate and express themselves. The end result is a whole (the music) that is greater than the sum of the notes played by the individual players.

1. Kanso (簡素): Simplicity or elimination of clutter. Things are expressed in a plain, simple, natural manner. Don’t decorate, but achieve clarity through omission or exclusion of the nonessential.