Japanese architecture: is it really natural and sustainable?

Many people think that Japanese architecture is uniquely sustainable and in harmony with nature, and has a new potential to become an alternative to modern-era architecture. Is it true? The key is...

Toyo Ito Interview in Omishima: Architecture then, now and next 1

I spent a morning with Toyo Ito on Omishima island in 2018, where the Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari opened an exhibit “Protecting = Creating the Sacred Island of Omishima.” Enjoy Ito's inspiring...

MUJI Food and snacks: small meals extravaganza!

MUJI offers a large selection of food/snacks in Japan, which are like the minimalistic version of Trader Joe's. Packaged small to upgrade unfairly undervalued "eat alone" experiences, their rich flavors/aroma...

Demystifying the “Japanese-ness” of KonMari method

While many people are excited about Marie Kondo’s “katazuke” (tidying-up) method, there are a certain number of people who disagre. If you are curious why people react to her so vehemently on both sides, it...

The “Less is more” Economy 1: History of “Less is more”

Modern designers in the early 20th century embraced the notion of “less is more,” which revealed two sides of the same coin – the Jekyll-and-Hyde like character of “more,” and the surprisingly pure, natural...

The architecture of awe: Musashino Art University Library by Sou Fujimoto

Sou Fujimoto designed his own “Library of Babel” at the Musashino Art University. It is the architecture of awe - a mesmerizing world of duality materialized by a spiral forest that consists of books and the...

Big ambition from a small island: Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari

The Toyo Ito Museum of Architecture, Imabari is located on a small, traditional island in West Japan. After decades of progressive architectural experiments based in Tokyo, Toyo Ito is pursuing the future of...

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...

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...

Hiroshige’s ukiyo-e through the lens of Frank Lloyd Wright

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,...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

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....

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...