3.4 Families and Communities

In Japan, beauty and art have been heavily influenced by traditional family values and customs. Japanese traditional culture places a great emphasis on harmony, balance and respect for nature. Below are some artistic concepts prevelant in modern day Japan.

The tea ceremony, also known as chanoyu (茶の湯) or sado (茶道) in Japan, is a traditional ritual that involves the preparation and serving of green tea, usually powdered tea called "matcha." It is a highly ritualized and stylized ceremony that is steeped in centuries of history and tradition, and is considered a form of art in Japan.

The tea ceremony is typically performed in a special tea room, or chashitsu (茶室), which is designed to be simple and unadorned, with a minimalist aesthetic in harmony with the "wabi-sabi" aesthetic. The tea room is typically adorned with a simple flower arrangement, a scroll painting, and a hanging scroll, which are all chosen to complement the season and the occasion.

The tea ceremony itself is a highly choreographed ritual that involves several steps, each with its own specific meaning and symbolism. The host, or teishu (亭主) prepares the tea using a set of specialized tools and utensils, such as a tea whisk and a tea bowl, while the guests, or chaji (茶事) observe in silence.

The tea ceremony is also considered to be a spiritual practice, in which the host and guests come together to share a moment of mindfulness and contemplation. The act of preparing and serving tea is seen as a way to cultivate humility, simplicity, and respect for others, as well as to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of the present moment.

Courtesy of Sugimoto Tea

The concept of iki (息) is used to describe a sense of refined simplicity and understated elegance. It is often used to refer to a style or attitude that is sophisticated yet casual, and is characterized by a lack of pretension or ostentation. The word "iki" is derived from the word "ikiru," which means "to live," and is often used to describe a way of living that is natural, unforced, and true to oneself. The traditional Japanese home, for example, is characterized by its clean lines, natural materials, and minimal ornamentation, which reflect the values of simplicity and harmony.

Family traditions also play a significant role in Japanese art and design. The Japanese art of flower arranging, known as ikebana (生け花), is a traditional practice that emphasizes the beauty of nature and the harmony between the elements in a composition.

The traditional Japanese tattoos irezumi (入れ墨) often depict the family crest and is a way to show one's heritage and family tradition. In general, the influence of family and tradition can be seen throughout Japanese art and culture, as these values are deeply ingrained in the country's history and society.