compiled work

A petty knife is a Japanese style
cooking knife which resembles a
small chef’s knife.Shibui arrives
in packaging where you can
see the knife subtly behind the
frosted panel and transparent
plastic sealing.

Abidur Chowdhury 2018 Abidur Chowdhury 2018

The design looks to create a
consistent connection between the
blade of the knife and the handle
by creating a blended bolster.
The blade is made up of a cast
high carbon steel which is further
hardened and hand sharpened

Slow living- Nadinoo52| Introduction

"“Shibui” has originated to bring the wave of simplicity and
sustainability in our ‘environmentally polluted’ world. One step at
a time, one stitch at a time! Shibui, represents the aesthetic and
subtle handcrafted fashion. Sustainable luxury is a quality woven
from the place of consciousness With the alarming need to save our
planet from pollution to curbing child labour, fast fashion has slowly
damaged our environment. It has now become a challenge to wear a
garment more than five times!



54| Introduction

IKI

“Iki” is a Japanese aesthetic sense and a concept . The oldest and widest spread of all the Japanese aesthetics. Iki’ shares characteristics such as an
orientation toward simple beauty in common with other Japanese aesthetic concepts like wabi (a state of calm, quiet subtlety which avoids being
gaudy or showy) and sabi (austere elegance which reflects simplicity and loneliness).
Originally “iki” came into use among samurais to designate those who were brave, smart and honorable. But gradually “iki” began to expand its
meaning to include everything that was elegant and distinguished but without pretending, without being arrogant or overly exuberant.



56| Introduction

The urban elegance of iki

Japanese homes are often finished
in light-coloured wood, which
conveys a peaceful atmosphere.

The minimalist ethos of these ideals
continue to bear influence on the
work of art and design luminaries
from Japan and around the world.

Side Table - TRE A uniquely designed side table
with three oak square timbers
arranged in an exquisite
balance and a thin steel top
plate placed on it. One of the
points is the asymmetrical
design.

Curve Wooden Dining Chair

Perfect for a chic space based
on monotone.

Round shape, smooth curves,
gray plywood that shines like
silver. A unique and modern
design dining chair reminiscent
of the beauty of the “moon”.

58| Introduction The elegenace of Modern Geisha

Dressed in a colourful kimono
made of heavy, shiny fabrics,
white socks in the feet .
Geisha must be very skilled
at traditional Japanese music,
dance, and poetry.
They created iki as a style
that gave more importance to
conversation and wit.

Geisha are called geiko in
Kyoto and are the symbol of
the Japanse culture. Geisha
literally means ‘women of art’.
There face painted completely
white, bright red lips and
glittering eyes.

A kimono is made from
a single bolt of cloth. It
takes outstanding skills to
create a kimono. A whole
bolt of fabric (tan) is used
to make only one kimono.

Wooden sticks made into a umbrella

Motifs typically represent
either the flora, fauna,
landscape or otherwise
culture of Japan - such as
cherry blossoms.

60| Introduction Koto is a Japanese plucked half-tube zither instrument, and the national instrument of Japan.

Jo-ha-kyū

The Japanese call it Jo-Ha-Kyu — literally “beginning, break, rapid.” The philosophy of Jo-Ha-Kyu is central to
many Japanese arts, from kendo to the iconic tea ceremony to music . It’s best known as the dramatic structure of
traditional Japanese theater forms such as kabuki and noh. It begins with exposition, the action builds to a climactic
moment, then there’s a cool down where loose ends are settled and the action simmers down, until everything is
finally resolved, also practiced in various type of music and instruments.



62| Introduction

‘Go’ short form of japanese word Igo is
a abstaract strategy board game. More
than 2,500 years old and is believed to
be the oldest board game continuously
played to the present day.

Go is an adversarial game with the
objective of surrounding a larger
total area of the board with one’s
stones than the opponent . Basic
principle of Go is that a group of
stones must have at least one open
point bordering the group, known as
a liberty, to remain on the board.

Woman Playing Go (Tang Dynasty c. 744)

A traditional Japanese set, with a solid wooden floor board Also known as Japanese
chess or the Game of Gener-
als, is a two-player strategy
board game that is the Japa-
nese variant of chess. It is the
most popular chess variant
in Japan.

Each piece has its name
written on its surface in the
form of two kanji (Chinese
characters used in Japa-
nese), usually in black ink.

A traditional shōgi ban (shogi board) displaying a set of koma (pieces)

64| Introduction Jo-ha-kyu is an ancient term Ceiling of the stage
originating in Noh Theatre.
Noh theatre actor It first appeared in the 14th century
writings of the master Zeami
Motokyo, who used it to describe
the development of story and action
in Noh drama. In theatre, music, and
literature, johakyu encapsulates
the idea, in simplest terms, of a
beginning, middle and end.

Like Noh drama, kabuki follows the
principle of jo-ha-kyu. The structure
of the scenes, play structure,
andeven series of plays in a day-
long program follow. Traditional
plays are performed in five acts.

Kabuki theatre performance

Jo- ha- kyu method had been
adapted , pertaining not only to
music, but to other Medias as well.
‘Still The Water’ and ‘The Mourning
Forest’ are great representation of
this adaptation.

The Mourning Forest by Naomi Kawase Still The Water by Naomi Kawase

66| Introduction

Caption yūgen

YŪGEN

Yūgen refers to serene, subtle beauty rather than colorful and cheerful, which can be explained by its connection
to Buddhism. Calm beauty helps clear religious vision, whereas vibrant, flamboyant beauty may distract from
reaching enlightenment. Yūgen is a word that has no translation in English, but it is a feeling we will all have felt.
It has been loosely summed up as “an awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep
and powerful for words”, but has also been called “mysterious grace”, “subtle profundity” and the “beauty of the
unseen”.

68| Introduction

Caption yūgen

Caption yūgen

Motoyiko Zeami, a Japanese aesthetician from the 14th and 15th centuries, described Yūgen as: “To watch the
sun sink behind a flower-clad hill. To wander on in a huge forest without thought of return. To stand upon the
shore and gaze after a boat that disappears behind distant islands. To contemplate the flight of wild geese
seen and lost among the clouds.” They seem to take place when people are overwhelmed with strong positive
emotions, and people who do this seem to recover better from those strong emotions.” Yūgen tells us that it is
okay to have a break, to stop on your way somewhere and enjoy the play of light on the road. Just contemplate
and feel the present moment!

70| Introduction

Caption yūgen

The meaning of Yūgen is beauty thats not just about the seen but the
unseen. It a sense of calm that comes from the subtle awareness of
hidden beauty which encapsulates this piece with the intricate half
blind dovetailed drawers that are exposed upon opening. Or the
subtle details of the double bridle jointed legs and wedged tenon
braces. The Yūgen is truly an heirloom quality piece.

Caption yūgen

Caption yūgen

The Yūgen is a real showcase of beautiful hand made
woodworking and furniture design. Its referred to as a
utility piece meaning it is able to be used for multiple
purposes, be it in the bedroom as a bedside stand, the
office for paperwork or the living room as a side stand.

72| Introduction Caption wabi sabi

GEIDŌ

Geidō refers to the various traditional Japanese arts disciplines: Noh (theater), kadō (Japanese
flower arrangement), shodō (Japanese calligraphy), Sadō (Japanese tea ceremony), and
yakimono (Japanese pottery). All of these disciplines carry an ethical and aesthetic connotation
and teach an appreciation of the process of creation.



74| Introduction Caption wabi sabi

Caption wabi sabi

Sado or chado, literally “The Way
of Tea” in Japanese, refers to the
teachings of the traditional tea
ceremony. The aesthetic of sado
is displayed in the tea utensils,
teaware, and tearoom and
garden where seasonal Japanese
confections are served. It continues
to be an art form integral to
Japanese culture today.

However, the Japanese tea
ceremony is more than simply
sipping a brew. This highly stylized
ritual teaches basic etiquettes,
hospitality, and even the Zen
philosophy of everyday life, the path
of devoting your life to art.

In Japan, there are many traditions
and culture that has been passed
down for ages. Shodo or calligraphy
is one of them; a cultural art form that
unites writing and text stylistically.
In this article, we will feature the
Japanese art of shodo calligraphy.

76| Introduction Caption wabi sabi

ENSŌ

The ensō symbolizes absolute enlightenment, strength, elegance, the universe, and mu (the void). It is
characterised by a minimalism born of Japanese aesthetics. The circle may be open or closed. An incomplete
circle allows for movement and development as well as the perfection of all things. Zen practitioners relate
the idea to wabi-sabi, the beauty of imperfection. Whereas a closed circle represents perfection, akin to Plato’s
perfect form, the reason why the circle was used for centuries in the construction of cosmological models
This circle can also sometimes be desicribed as a mirror of it’s painters - reflecting who you are and what you
think or feel now, as you paint it.



78| Introduction Enso Light by Mayasam Khankeshlou

Enso Light by Mayasam Khankeshlou

The Enso, or Zen circle, is one of the most
appealing themes in Zen art.
It is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited
brushstrokes to express a moment when
the mind is free to let the body create. Zen
is a circle of vast space where nothing is
lacking and nothing is held in excess. Its
meaning alludes to the beginning and end
of everything, the cycle of life, and the
interdependence of all things.

Drawing ensō is a disciplined-creative
practice of Japanese ink painting, sumi-e. The
tools and mechanics are the same as those
used in traditional Japanese calligraphy: One
uses an ink brush to apply ink to washi (a thin
Japanese paper) The paintings showed not
only the spiritual quality of the artist, but the
uniqueness of each moment in time as well.
The minimum expression of this artwork
gives a good opportunity to look back at
oneself and even to find the true self.

Caption wabi sabi

80| Introduction Picture on the left : The Enso
Dress by Lovebirds is an embodi-
Enso dress by Lovebirds ment of functionality, timelessness,
modernity and playfulness as the
inherent elements that standy by
the brands beliefs. The dress is
made with clean lines, elegant form
of the circle and refined proportions
focusing on relaxed tailoring that
effortlessly combines menswear
detailing with a feminine sensibility.

Picture on the right : In the Enso
light, a circle define balance by
halving all the light elements stay
in perfect proportion, fixing the
magnet. The circle stabilizes by
halving the beams into two identical
light-shadow arcs.
The light’s physical shape merges
into the arcs and becomes a tranquil
whole

Enso Light by Mayasam Khankeshlou

Bi8b2|lInitorogdurcatiopnhy



84| Introduction

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Ms. Simar Dhamija and Mrs.
Siddhali Doshi for mentoring us through the course of the
development of this book and giving us this opportunity.



86| Introduction

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