Why is MUJI’s minimalist design called Zen?
The Japanese household brand MUJI is often dubbed “commercial Zen” for its no-frills, minimalist design and approach. But exactly what kind of Zen aesthetics are seen in MUJI? Two prominent designers Kenya...
“Simplify!” Steve Jobs’ relentless quest for Zen design
Steve Jobs is known to have practiced the Soto-school of Japanese Zen, and is also known to have loved the kare-sansui garden of the Saijo-ji in Kyoto, which was founded by a prominent Zen priest/garden...
Japanese minimalist design and the influence of traditional Zen art
If you want to introduce Zen-taste minimalist design, what are the tips? There are several critical Zen aesthetics such as "subtraction", "condensation" and "absence" that strongly influenced modern minimalist...
Discover the magic of smallness: MUJI’s toothbrush stand
Many everyday products are designed based on the assumption that “bigger is the better.” But MUJI’s tiny toothbrush stand – one of their best selling items – reminds us that small is simply beautiful. Small...
MUJI x UR: MUJI beautifully fixes-up old-fashioned urban apartments
MUJI started selling houses in 2004, and the project has been evolving. They now collaborate with other parties to re-invigorate outdated building stock. Discover their philosophy and strategy on how to...
Kenya Hara and the aesthetics of “emptiness”
Kenya Hara is a Japanese graphic designer who helped cement the philosophy of Japanese brand MUJI by leveraging the concept of “emptiness.” Even though these concepts might appear similar, “emptiness” in...
Kintsugi: Repair beyond repair
Kintsugi” is a traditional Japanese technique to repair broken ceramics, but it’s something that will change your definition of “repair.” Using glue and gold or silver powder, Kintsugi “heals” injured ceramics...
Abundance by absence in music: “Absolutely on Music” by Haruki Murakami and Seiji Ozawa
In his conversation with Haruki Murakami, Seiji Ozawa explains effective "ma" in music, a Japanese concept that places void in between sequences....
My Neighbor Totoro: honest face of nature
Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s drama-free, anti-climax “My Neighbor Totoro” reminds us how humans used to interact with nature. Totoro was not imaginary 50 years ago. He was next the kids who used to...
Beauty of ambiguous architecture: Sou Fujimoto
Sou Fujimoto, one of the most sought-after Japanese architects today, has the incomparable ability to define spatial dimensions and to let a unique kind of abundance emerge even from limited spaces. He often...
Demystifying the mysteries of Japanese aesthetics
What's the common secret behind traditional Zen arts/culture, wabi-sabi, MUJI, Japanese architecture, sushi and Totoro? It's the unique approach toward nature....
MUJI Hut: tiny house dissolving into the environment
MUJI released a “hut” in 2017 which is even tinier than a “tiny house.” Coming with the interior size of 9.1 m2, it delivers agility, mobility and flexibility you would never expected from a house. “Place it...
The Zen of Minimalism: How Minimal Design is a Catalyst for Happiness
We tend to think of minimalism as an art movement and a minimalist lifestyle as two separate things, but they share a common philosophy. It has to do with how we leverage our inner ability and potential....
Recipe for Japanese caramel pudding “purin”: reduce sugar – drastically!
One of the characteristics of the Japanese cuisine is its obsession with texture. Especially with deserts, Japanese are almost fanatical in adding special textures, whether it’s sponginess, wobbliness,...
In-depth report: “Projects in Progress” by Shigeru Ban
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban's "Projects in Progress," his second solo exhibition held in Tokyo in 2017, featured La Seine Musicale, the Tainan Museum, The Watch Company (Swatch + Omega), and some disaster...
MUJI “Wood House” model home in Kanagawa, Japan
We visited MUJI’s model house in Kanagawa, Japan. The model, the “Wood House,” is a “tiny house” of about 1,000 square feet that delivers edit-ability and flexibility you could never have expected in other...
Katsura Imperial Villa (Katsura Rikyu)
Katura Rikyu (Imperial Villa), built during the 17th century in Kyoto by an aristocrat family, is often dubbed as the culmination of traditional Japanese architecture. Its simplicity is very “modern.” You will...
Tofukuji kare-sansui by Mirei Shigemori
Japanese artist Mirei Shigemori (1896 – 1975) infused fresh energy into the traditional Japanese Zen rock garden (kare-sansui). Tofuku-ji Hojo garden in Kyoto is one of the most acclaimed works of his that...
The Many Face of Engawa
Engawa, the narrow wooden strips attached around the periphery of a house has been an indispensable part of the traditional Japanese house, functioning as a sun porch, a workshop, a venue for socializing and a...
MUJI solar cooking scale – inspiring everyday product
Many daily household items are not a feast for the eyes, and you are not inspired or excited when you use them. But does it have to be that way? The MUJI cooking scale is just beautiful in design and delivers...
Happiness through the lens of Minimalists
“Happiness” is elusive. No one knows for sure how to get it. So, we have assumed that “more makes us happier.” But an increasing number of people are realizing that that recipe does not necessarily work. They...
Church of the Light by Tadao Ando
Tadao Ando re-created the “Church of the Light,” one of his landmark works he designed in 1989, at the exhibition “Tadao Ando: Endeavors” held in Tokyo in 2017. It is stunning to see how light meets concrete,...
House Vision 2016
At House Vision 2016 - the second of an exhibition series, directed by Kenya Hara and held in Tokyo - prominent architects such as Kengo Kuma, Sou Fujimo and Shigeru Ban collaborated with companies including...
Chapter 2-8: Sparking joy by subtracion – decluttering and minimalists
If it sounds counterintuitive that “having less” results in a happier life; simply flip the coin and think that “owning more” means “more stress to manage.” We are surrounded by too much stuff, information and...
The history of Japanese aesthetics (1) – Mono no aware that “utsurou”
Roll back the clock 1,000 years to the Heian Era to find the origin of the elusive and ambiguous Japanese aesthetics where the aristocrats explored the culture of “mono no aware.” It is amazing to find how...
Butterfly Stool by Sori Yanagi: 60th Anniversary Exhibition
The exhibition "BUTTERFLY STOOL 60th:カタチの原点 (the groundwork of the form)" focused on how Sori Yanagi, a trailblazing industrial designer in Japan, came up with the idea of a beautifully minimalist stool that...
Kengo Kuma Exhibition: a LAB for materials
The report of Kengo Kuma’s exhibition “a LAB for materials” at the Tokyo Station Gallery. As the Japanese title means "Kuma’s things: materials that whisper and talk", the exhibit focuses on how Kuma leverages...
What is Zen?
Zen is a school of the “Great Vehicle” branch of Buddhism that focuses on meditation. While its core tenets inherit Buddha’s teachings just like others schools, Zen occupies a special space in modern society...
Welcome to zero = abundance, your online resource to re-define “happiness” by exploring the potential of “less is more,” leveraging Japanese Zen aesthetics. We offer a variety of ideas and stories on the minimalist lifestyle, design/architecture, business and social change that will help design your own happiness without relying on “more stuff.”
