History of Japanese aesthetics 3: Muromachi and wabi-sabi
History of Japanese asethetics (3) reviews Muromachi era (1336-1573), which coinsided with the early Renaissance in Europe. However, Zen-influenced, minimalist aesthetics were the opposite of Renaissance.
The Many Faces of traditional Japanese tea house – chashitsu
Find pictures of traditional Japanese tea house, the inspiration for Zen design and interior.
Yuhisai Koudoukan, Kyoto: What it means to practice sado in the 21st century
“It’s sado’s potential for shared learning we are focused on here at Yuhisai Koudoukan – in the spirit of Minagawa Gien.” Sado is a junction where setting (chashitsu), people and the environment (including tools, artworks or food involved) encounter and create a once-in-a-lifetime aesthetic/intellectual collision.
Experience the sukiya-zukuri: Setouchi Minato no Yado
In scenic/historic Onomichi City, Hiroshima, you can stay at an exquisite, traditional Japanese sukiya-style house renovated by a local business Discoverlink Setouchi. Named Setouchi Minato no Yado, the houses overlook downtown and stunningly beautiful Seto Naikai Inland Sea.
Chapter 3-4: Tai’an – Rikyu’s microcosmic teahouse
“Tai-an” is the ultimate small tea hut, designed by the legendary tea master Sen no Rikyu. According to architect Kengo Kuma: “You won’t understand what Tai-an is all about until you actually crawl into this small hut and experience the very moment when the building, which is almost as small as your body, starts dissolving and enveloping your body softly and lightly, as if it were your clothes.”
