Moral Dimensions of Japanese Aesthetics

Outline

• What is Japanese Aesthetics?
• Overview of Japanese Aesthetic Concepts
• Two Principles of Design
• Zen Buddhism
• Spatial Arrangement 

Japanese Aesthetics is UNIQUE to Japan and DIFFERENT from other aesthetic traditions.

Japanese Aesthetics is morally based by promoting RESPECT, CARE and CONSIDERATION for others, both humans and nonhumans.

Both MORAL and AESTHETIC dimensions of Japanese culture have BLURRED relationship.

Two Dimensions of Design

• Respecting the innate characteristics of materials
• Respecting the intended user

Respecting the Character of the Object

Garden Design

The gardener “should first install one main stone, and then place other stones, in necessary numbers, in such as way as to satisfy the request of the main stone”.

IKEBANA
This art form begins by cutting off a living flower or a branch although its aim is to let flower express itself.

HAIKU
The ideal should be OBJECT centered rather than subject governed. One has to overcome personal feelings first.

PACKAGING
Various packaging materials are designed not only for protecting the content but also for emphasizing their INNATE characteristics.

FOOD
Japanese food is well known for engaging all the senses. An important focus of Japanese food is the preparation of INGREDIENTS.

ZEN BUDDHISM
“Studying the Buddha Way is studying oneself. Studying oneself is forgetting oneself. Forgetting oneself is being enlightened by all things.”
Zen is optimistic about our ability to experience directly the thus-ness of the other.

Respect for Intended User

LETTER WRITING
Exchanging of POEMS was the primary vehicle of courtship in this culture, and a person’s moral worth was assessed aesthetically by the style of calligraphy, type of paper, accompanying fragrance.

TEA CEREMONY
Thoughtfulness toward the guest is the foundation of tea manners.

What is relevant is the host’s concern for the feelings of the guests which is expressed through aesthetic means.

Designing a Spatial Arrangement requires the ability to IMAGINE how the experience unfolds for its USER.

GARDEN
An effect is achieved by bridges, applying changing of axis, makes one pause in the middle of the bridge.

The direction of the visitors’ movements is determined by the placement of stepping stones. Irregular positioning of each stone controls both the direction and speed of one's stroll.

FOOD SERVING
The diner is to compose his own gustatory symphony. The advantage of this nonlinear way of eating is for wide range of tastes.

PACKAGING
It provides aesthetic experience by inviting to take care and give time in unwrapping.


The layers of wrapping are a way of expressing care for the object inside and therefore care for the RECIPIENT of the object.

OUTLINE

• Relevance to present situation of the arts
• Relevance to Philippine context
• Local examples based on issues raised

Untitled Slide