The Japanese Art of Balance: Culture, Aesthetics, and Life

Introduction: Balance as a Cultural Foundation

In Japanese culture there is a constant balancing act taking place — a definite ebb and flow, a wax and wane to life. Several aspects of the culture will be considered here in an effort to show how the art of balance is created and how significant it is to the Japanese way of life. It is not just art, not just food, not "just" anything when it comes to where balance is seen and how much it has to offer the Japanese people. Balance appears to have always been part of their culture, from the earliest times right up until the present day.

People who are not part of that culture, or who do not focus on the many ways in which balance can be achieved in life, may not realize the significance of some of the things Japanese people create. For those who are part of it — and for those who are interested in the art of balance and what it brings to the quality of life — studying what has been done in Japan across hundreds and thousands of years of history can provide not only understanding but peace of mind, and a new way for people to feel more in tune with themselves and their surroundings.

Several specific subjects are addressed here: ikebana, haiku, origami, sushi, swords, and architecture. While there are many other ways to study Japanese culture and the concept of balance within it, these are among the most common entry points for such an exploration. They also offer a range of options for thinking about how balance might be brought into one's own life — an important consideration at a time when there is so much strife and difficulty throughout the world. Life in general is a delicate balancing act of happiness and sadness, joy and pain, and many other emotions. The more balance a person cultivates, the better that person is likely to feel, and the more likely they are to find joy in simple things.

Ikebana: The Art of Floral Arrangement

Ikebana is about beauty, symmetry, and art — which is sometimes asymmetric. It is the art of arranging flowers (Cwiertka, 2007; Dale, 1990). However, ikebana is often much more than that. It is not the same as the practice seen in Western countries, where people place cut flowers in a vase to create a centerpiece. There are many beautiful flower arrangements created around the world, but ikebana is about the beauty of plants and flowers as they currently exist — it is less about cutting them and reshaping them into something else (Cwiertka, 2007; Sugimoto, 2003). There is also a spiritual, peaceful aspect to ikebana, because those who create it focus their time, talents, and gentle efforts on producing something natural and beautiful. In doing so, they offer more than just plants and more than just beauty — they offer art in its highest and most pure form (Kato, 1997; Kuitert, 1988). Ikebana can also serve as a means of expressing what cannot be conveyed in words or pictures. It can be placed in dishes or vases, or designed to be hung on a wall.

Like much of Japanese culture, there is a certain proper way a thing should be done, but there is also room for individual interpretation, so that each person can express themselves while still honoring longstanding traditions (Jansen, 2000; Kato, 1997). Often, ikebana features a single flower or plant growing in a dish of carefully scattered and placed rocks and gravel (Sugimoto, 2003). Producing something so simple and beautiful takes a great deal of time, and when it is done well, all who see it recognize the care and thought invested in the creation. That is part of the art of balance. Ikebana involves making something beautiful, but it also involves making something that allows the creator to think deeply and feel a sense of oneness with nature. It is just as much about the creator as about the creation, and that is largely what gives it such a strong sense of balance for both the person creating it and all who see it (Diamond, 1998).

Haiku: Linguistic and Artistic Balance

Haiku is an exquisite example of art and linguistic balance. Each haiku must be written to strict requirements regarding lines and syllables — there is no room for free-form improvisation (Jansen, 2000; Kato, 1997). While there is certainly nothing wrong with free-form poetry for those who enjoy it, haiku is a very structured way of conveying a message. Because there is so little space in which to communicate, it is essential that the writer thinks carefully about what they wish to express. Some write love poems in this form, but many haikus are about nature and its beauty (Kuitert, 1988; Martin, 1995). It is easy to see why nature features so prominently, as Japan is extraordinarily rich both culturally and naturally. There is so much beauty to absorb that it must find an outlet, and poetry is one of the finest.

Many haikus are deep and meaningful, offering both writer and reader something to carefully consider (Dale, 1990). Haikus can also be lighthearted and humorous, but that is not their traditional or most common intention. The feelings conveyed are generally quieter — designed to linger with a person long after the haiku has been read.

Not everyone sees the written word as a form of art or beauty. Many people associate art exclusively with painting or sculpture, but art can take a variety of forms. The decision to deem something "art" generally resides in the mind and heart of both the person who sees it and the person who created it. Writing and self-expression represent just one of the forms art can take, and haiku is but one option for artists seeking to provide deep insight for themselves and for others (Diamond, 1998). Reading haikus often inspires readers to write their own, as an effort to express the feelings stirred by the original. As long as the length and syllable requirements are followed, there are no technically "right" or "wrong" haikus — they can be about anything. Those deeply committed to the form will often ensure their haikus address subjects of genuine personal importance: nature, religion, philosophy, family, or anything they hold in high regard.

Conclusion: Tradition, Modernity, and Enduring Equilibrium

There are other aspects of Japanese culture that reflect balance, as well. It is as though the culture is specifically organized around achieving balance, rather than prioritizing functionality alone. This is not to suggest that Japanese culture lacks functionality — it is clearly highly functional. However, function is not the culture's sole concern, whereas other cultures often focus primarily on how something works rather than how it looks. In Japan, both appear to matter equally. This orientation is most evident in the older generations and their traditions, but it has been passed down to younger generations and remains visible there as well. Both old and young recognize the value of form and function together.

No matter what area of Japan one encounters or what aspect of its culture one engages with, it is easy to see that tradition and modernity frequently meet. The hustle and bustle of the city is important because it represents business, industry, and a thriving economy. Beyond that bustle, however, are traditional values and families who cherish quiet time. There are gardens and haikus and ikebana to be created, along with the value that comes from a good meal shared with people who matter. Both ways of life are important in Japan, and both are visible from the largest cities to the smallest villages. It is a wax-and-wane, light-and-dark, joy-and-pain kind of life, and even in that duality, there is balance.

References

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Jansen, Marius B. (2000). The Making of Modern Japan. New York: Belknap.

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Kuitert, Wybe (1988). Scenes and Taste in the History of Japanese Garden Art. Amsterdam: J. C. Gieben.

Martin, Richard (1995). Our kimono mind: Reflections on "Japanese Design: A Survey since 1950." Journal of Design History, 8, 215–223.

Sugimoto, Yoshio, et al. (2003). An Introduction to Japanese Society. New York: Cambridge University Press.