Japanese Cultures: Creative Philosophies To Learn From Japan

No other country does a zen life and art like the Japanese do!

The Japanese philosophies and beliefs often have connection with the kind of art forms they practice. Most of their creative art forms have a basic foundation that revolves around beautiful philosophies and life lessons. No matter which part of the world you are from, it could be blindly said that we all need a little bit of Japan in our creativity and philosophies. Here are some of the most beautiful and creative philosophies that Japan has to offer us!

Wabi Sabi Is Finding Beauty In Imperfection

Wabi Sabi is one of the oldest and the most traditional of Japanese philosophies as well as aesthetics. It means finding beauty in what is incomplete, imperfect or impermanent. Often when something or a piece of art does not go according to your vision or plan, you tend to get frustrated. Wabi Sabi implores you to view the same thing from a different angle. It asks you to let go and let the flow of the process take you to the end. You are just meant to enjoy the beauty of process and the end result. You will find happiness in even the tiniest imperfections and simplicity. Wabi Sabi is having patience and having faith in the process and your intuition.

Kintsugi Is About Valuing Every Flaw

There is no other Japanese philosophy as beautiful and creative as this one. Kintsugi is the art of mending broken pottery with a valuable metal like gold, silver or platinum. In this form of Japanese art, when a pottery piece breaks apart, you don’t throw the pieced away. Instead, you take the pieces and put them together using gold at the cracks, that makes the broken piece even more valuable than what it was worth before. This art form is deeply rooted in the philosophy that imperfection, hardships, flaws and suffering would only make your life more valuable and stronger.

Ikigai Helps You Find Your True Passion To Live A Happier Life

Ikigai is a Japanese philosophy that focuses on self actualisation. According to this philosophy, every person has a purpose, an “ikigai”. This purpose is something that is connected with your true passion. When you find your true passion and you follow it clearly, you will lead a more happy and fulfilled life. Ikigai, as a creative philosophy, helps you in improving mindfulness.