Japanese Elements

The genius of traditional Japanese design, from the bold to the sublime, is built upon the very particular Japanese sensibility of wabi-sabi. It is characterized by an aesthetic that includes asymmetry, roughness and irregularity, simplicity, austerity, imperfection, and intimacy. Wabi-sabi is an appreciation of the transience of nature and life, finding beauty in the ordinary.

view from the tearoom window, Sesshuji Temple, Tofukuji, Kyoto, JAPAN

teahouse window, Zuiho-in temple, Daitoku-ji, Kyoto, JAPAN

wall detail, Myoshin-ji Temple, Kyoto, JAPAN

detail at 8th century Horyuji temple, near Nara, Japan.

mud and tile wall, Toshodai-ji temple, Nara, JAPAN

main gate, Chion-in temple, Kyoto, JAPAN

Chion-in Temple, detail of main gate, Kyoto, JAPAN

Nio, gate guardian, Sugimoto-dera temple, Kamakura, JAPAN

sub-building of Myoho-ji Temple, Kamakura, JAPAN

at entrance of Nanzen-ji Temple, Kyoto, JAPAN

sacred knot at Obai-in, sub-temple of 14th c. Engakuji Buddhist temple, temple, Kita-Kamakura, JAPAN

corner of the verandah, Zuiho-in Temple, Daitoku-ji, Kyoto, JAPAN

Nijo-jo castle, moss garden, Kyoto, JAPAN

ancient base of a stone lantern, Saidaiji Temple, Nara, JAPAN

Ginshadan, the 15th century karesansui (dry) garden of Ginkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto, JAPAN

exterior wall of Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto, JAPAN

Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple, gate detail, Kyoto, JAPAN

gate door panel, Engaku-ji Temple, Kamakura, JAPAN

Ryogen-in Temple, Daitoku-ji, Kyoto, JAPAN

detail of inu-yarai, bamboo guards for walls along the street, old house in Gion, Kyoto, JAPAN

incense burning at Sengaku-ji temple, Tokyo, JAPAN

Yasaka Jinja, Shinto shrine, Kyoto, JAPAN

rice cake offering for New Year, Ikegami Honmon-ji temple, Tokyo, JAPAN

three Jizo, near Meguro Fudo, Tokyo, JAPAN

Nio guardian at entry gate to 8th century Horyuji Temple, near Nara, Japan

stone Buddha figure, Engaku-ji Temple, Kamakura, JAPAN

Japanese Elements

Ken Straiton