The Traditional Japanese Sense of Beauty
What I love most about Japan is its traditional sense of beauty — a quiet elegance that reflects harmony, simplicity, and deep respect for nature.
Japan, an island nation with a long history as an agricultural society, has always lived in close connection with the natural world. Rather than trying to dominate nature, people lived by its grace — praying that natural disasters, which could sometimes take lives, would not occur, and holding a deep sense of awe towards its uncontrollable power. Perhaps this attitude nurtured a humility unique to the Japanese spirit.
The Roots of Japanese Aesthetics
Animism, especially in a land so blessed with natural beauty, is believed to have grown from nature worship — the belief that the greatness and blessings of nature are manifestations of the divine. This forms the foundation of the Japanese idea of coexistence with nature, a worldview beautifully expressed in traditional gardens, colours, and art.
Traditional Japanese colours are deeply intertwined with nature and the passing seasons. The beauty of the natural world is reflected in the very names and shades of these colours — from the soft pink of cherry blossoms (sakura-iro) to the deep green of moss (koke-iro).
A Japanese garden is designed to mirror the landscapes of Japan, using natural elements such as stones, water, and plants. These gardens celebrate the changing seasons and create a tranquil atmosphere that harmonises perfectly with their surroundings.
Three Words That Capture Japanese Beauty
There are three Japanese words that cannot be fully translated into English, yet they beautifully express key aspects of Japanese aesthetics.
Wabi-sabi is a traditional Japanese philosophy centred on appreciating the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. It finds charm in the natural cycle of growth and decay, embracing things that are modest, humble, and even incomplete. Wabi-sabi celebrates unique flaws and irregularities — like a crack in pottery or the weathered texture of wood — finding beauty in what is imperfect and worn. It reminds us that everything changes and nothing lasts forever, revealing elegance in fleeting moments such as falling leaves or fading colours. Above all, it values simplicity and authenticity over ornamentation, cherishing the raw beauty of natural materials.
Yūgen refers to a profound, mysterious sense of beauty — subtle, deep, and often beyond words. It evokes feelings that are intangible and elusive: an awareness of the vastness of the universe and the hidden depths within all things. Yūgen stirs a gentle melancholy and awe, connecting us to profound emotions and the impermanence of life.
Komorebi means sunlight filtering through the leaves of trees.
Komorebi — My First Composition
“Komorebi” is also the title of my first musical composition, inspired by my feelings of colour, light, and harmony. I composed it while sitting on a quiet park bench near my home in Kobe. I rarely see anyone there, yet every visit feels as if I’m discovering its beauty for the very first time.
The subtle shifts in air and season — even when visiting daily — reveal a timeless, heart-stirring beauty. I recorded this piece in Pasadena, Los Angeles, in 2012, carrying with me the spirit of Japanese nature and the tranquil light of komorebi.
