Abstract
[Extract] Though Yūgen 幽玄 permeates into every fibre of Japanese aesthetic expression, it evades a clear definition. In the words of the 15th century monk-poet Shōtetsu (1381–1459): “Yūgen can be apprehended by the mind, but it cannot be expressed in words. Its quality may be suggested by the sight of a thin cloud veiling the moon or by autumn mist swathing the scarlet leaves on a mountainside.” When quoting Shōtetsu in his pioneering essay on Japanese Aesthetics, Donald Keene considers Yūgen to be an expression for poetic vagueness and ambiguity, which defies any efforts for precision (Keene 1969: 296). But if we carefully observe the deceptive simplicity of Japanese architecture, a haiku, even the packaging of daily items such as a bento box or a roll of toilet paper and especially, the Bonsai that brings out the nature of a pine tree more natural than any tree found in nature, we are amazed how the most
striking effect of Yūgen in fact expresses an aesthetic precision that is naturally woven into the pattern of the thing-it-self, and this suggests an immanent attitude of Japanese Aesthetics that is NOT decorative, but a sophisticatedly cultivated mode of perception—an epistemology that attains truth(s) of
the Other even in the most mundane, most overlooked tiny vignette of life.
striking effect of Yūgen in fact expresses an aesthetic precision that is naturally woven into the pattern of the thing-it-self, and this suggests an immanent attitude of Japanese Aesthetics that is NOT decorative, but a sophisticatedly cultivated mode of perception—an epistemology that attains truth(s) of
the Other even in the most mundane, most overlooked tiny vignette of life.
Original language | English |
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Pages | 151-153 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2016 |
Event | The 2nd Conference of the European Network of Japanese Philosophy - Brussels, Belgium Duration: 7 Dec 2016 → 10 Dec 2016 Conference number: 2nd https://enojp.org/conferences/ https://www.be.emb-japan.go.jp/150jb/documents/pamphlet.pdf (Pamphlet) https://enojp.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/enojp-2nd-conf-poster.jpg (Conference Poster) |
Conference
Conference | The 2nd Conference of the European Network of Japanese Philosophy |
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Abbreviated title | ENOJP |
Country/Territory | Belgium |
City | Brussels |
Period | 7/12/16 → 10/12/16 |
Internet address |