How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (2024)

A look into the beliefs that inspire the country’s art forms.

For centuries, Japanese artisans and artists have looked to the four seasons of the year for inspiration, whether it is for paintings, pottery or poetry. Winter may be depicted by including snow, while seasonal plants and flowers allude to spring and summer, and autumn is represented by migrating geese. Oftentimes, all four seasons are conveyed in a single painting or object – a key characteristic of Japanese art.

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (1)

While there is no doubt that the beauty of each of the four seasons provides plenty of inspiration – who doesn’t love the look of a landscape covered with a light layer of powdery snow or the autumnal tableau of golden brown, auburn and yellow hues? But the strong presence of the four seasons in Japanese culture and aesthetics is rooted in something deeper and more meaningful, as it was based on the beliefs of Shinto and Buddhism – the two main religions practiced in Japan.

Each season, and its effects on the landscape and people’s daily lives, always ends to make way for the next season. This constant change, the fact that nothing is permanent, is a key belief of Buddhism. Nature also has a strong role in Shinto beliefs.

And while no season is permanent, there is consistency in the schedule of the seasons. Spring will always come after winter, summer will always come after spring, autumn will always come after summer and so on. This interplay was permanence and impermanence was influenced by both Shinto and Buddhism and is the foundation for some concepts of Japanese aesthetics.

This interplay can be seen at the famous rock garden at Ryōanji Temple in Kyoto, where the display of rocks and sand are surrounded by trees and other greenery that will change according to the seasons, while the rocks and sand remain the same. This combination of something permanent with something impermanent was designed to help Zen Buddhists with their meditation.

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (3)

Perhaps one of the most well-known Japanese aesthetic around the world is wabi-sabi, and wabi-sabi is all about finding beauty in imperfection and in appreciating something that will not last. Architect Leonard Koren writes in the introduction to his book Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers (2008, Imperfect Publishing): “Wabi-sabi is the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.”

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (4)

Wabi-sabi can be found, in subtle form, in anything from paintings to teapots and it is believed that wabi-sabi came from a Zen monk called Sen no Rikyu, who lived in the 16th century. Rikyū is also credited for creating the Japanese tea ceremony, in the way it is practiced today, and before he became one of the most venerated tea masters in Japanese history, he was a young monk who sought knowledge from a tea master in his time called Takeeno Jōō.

As a test, Joo assigned Rikyū to maintain a garden and Rikyū did it to perfection. Before he presented his efforts to Joo, Rikyū went to a cherry blossom tree and shook it so that the pristine garden was subsequently covered with cherry blossoms. The random scattering of flowers added a blemish to the well-raked garden but also gave it beauty, and hence the concept of wabi-sabi was born.

Wabi-sabi represents the exact opposite of the Western ideal of great beauty as something monumental, spectacular, and enduring. Wabi-sabi is not found in nature at moments of bloom or lushness, but at moments of inception or subsiding,” writes Koren in his book.

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (5)

Another important Japanese aesthetic is yūgen. Yūgen is often described in English as dark, obscure and mysterious. It refers not so much to the beauty of the actual object in front of you, but rather what lies beneath it. Yūgen relies on the imagination of the viewer and plays more on the implication and suggestion of the topic. Traditional Noh theatre, and its emphasis on similes and metaphors rather than the actual story, is a good showcase of the yūgen principle.

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (6)

When thinking of yūgen in relation to the four seasons, an example will be to appreciate a blossom not by admiring its actual beauty, but to imagine all that it went through because of the different climate conditions brought on by each season, and how it wasn’t always in full bloom and will eventually wilt.

An aesthetic that is the polar opposite of wabi-sabi and yūgen, but also has roots in the idea of impermanence, is miyabi, which is often translated into English as elegance, refinement and courtliness. Miyabi is also linked to Mono-no-aware, which harks back to impermanence and the bittersweet feelings that can come with it, such as when you are admiring autumn leaves or the cherry blossoms.

Both are beautiful but will only last for a few weeks – while you are soaking in the beauty, there is also the sad realisation that it will be gone soon.

And yet, with this relationship between impermanence and permanence that is championed by various Japanese aesthetics, there is also comfort in knowing that the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves will make another appearance, however fleeting, next year.

Past Auction CHADŌ – The Beauty of Japanese Tea Ceremony 9–18 October 2022 | 12:00 PM HKT | Hong Kong

Special thank you to汴京茶寮 Tealosophy Hong KongandEast_c.floristfor the generous support for our themed photoshoot demonstrating the aesthetics of the four seasons as seen in the set of four photos above.

About the Author

  • Jacqueline Kot

    Jacqueline Kot has over 15 years of experience in Hong Kong’s media and publishing industry, with roles in customs publishing, trade publications and luxury lifestyle magazines. She was the Editorial Director for Special Projects at Hong Kong Tatler—where she was the editor for the Hong Kong Tatler Weddings and Hong Kong Tatler Homes magazines—before she relocated to Sydney in 2019 and is now a freelance editor and writer, covering design, travel, beauty, weddings and dining.

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics (2024)

FAQs

How the Four Seasons Shaped Japanese Aesthetics? ›

Winter may be depicted by including snow, while seasonal plants and flowers allude to spring and summer, and autumn is represented by migrating geese. Oftentimes, all four seasons are conveyed in a single painting or object – a key characteristic of Japanese art.

How might the four seasons be represented in Japanese art? ›

For example, in Kimono-Four Seasons (2012), Hamanishi Katsunori uses the mezzotint technique to depict the four seasons through classical pairings of natural elements embedded as decorative motifs on kimonos: winter (hares and snow-laden bamboo), spring (flowers), summer (birds flying over water), and autumn (grasses ...

What do the Japanese seasons symbolize? ›

These seasonal symbols are imbued with emotional attributes relating to the natural cycle: the lifting of spirits and hope for love as spring follows winter, an appreciation of coolness during the oppressive summer heat, the melancholy of autumn as plants fade and die, and the resilience associated with bitterly cold ...

What are the four principles of Japanese aesthetics? ›

Though it might suffice to say that wabi-sabi is the beauty of imperfect things, that would be an overly simplistic explanation of such a deep and profoundly rooted notion in the Japanese spirit.

What are the four seasons in Japanese culture? ›

Basic words for seasons
EnglishRōmajiKanji
SpringHaru
SummerNatsu
Autumn or FallAki
WinterFuyu
2 more rows
Feb 29, 2024

What do the 4 seasons symbolize? ›

Mood: Although all emotions occur in all seasons, we tend to connect spring with hope/renewal; summer with joy/exuberance; autumn with melancholy/acceptance, and winter with sadness/loneliness.

What do the Four Seasons statues represent? ›

The Four Different Goddess Statues Represent The Change Of The Four Seasons And Have Sacred Significance. The Seasons Lady statues are a set of four bronze pieces, each representing a traditional, temperate season. These are part of the historic Oldfields Estate's outdoor sculpture collection.

What is the meaning of the Four Seasons logo? ›

Some people are just realising that the Four Seasons logo actually attempts to represent all four seasons typical temperate regions. No it's not just a tree. It's a tree depicted in spring, summer, autumn and winter all at once. That's why some of the branches have more leaves than others, and some have none at all.

What is the most important season in Japan? ›

Spring. Widely considered the most beautiful season of Japan, spring is truly a season to begin the year off with. Enjoy the loving warm embrace of the sun as thousands of cherry blossom petals dance around you in a vivacious waltz.

What is the symbol of autumn in Japan? ›

In Japan, just as the cherry blossom is the symbol of spring, the momiji is the symbol of autumn.

What is the concept of Japanese aesthetics? ›

Japanese aesthetics comprise a set of ancient ideals that include wabi (transient and stark beauty), sabi (the beauty of natural patina and aging), and yūgen (profound grace and subtlety).

What type of aesthetic is Japanese? ›

There are three sets of ancient ideals that are helpful to understanding Japanese aesthetics; wabi, sabi, and yugen. Wabi is transient and stark beauty. Sabi is the beauty of natural patina and aging. Yugen is profound grace and subtlety.

Which Japanese aesthetic refers to awareness? ›

The Japanese aesthetic that refers to the awareness of things and the temporary nature of the world around us is Wabi-sabi.

What are the seasons in Japanese art? ›

Winter may be depicted by including snow, while seasonal plants and flowers allude to spring and summer, and autumn is represented by migrating geese. Oftentimes, all four seasons are conveyed in a single painting or object – a key characteristic of Japanese art.

What is the culture of Four Seasons? ›

Culture has always been a key pillar at Four Seasons and is core to who we are. We pride ourselves on creating a fun and supportive environment where our people are motivated to be their very best: where radical empathy, creative bravery and celebrating individuality are at the forefront.

How do Japanese people enjoy seasons? ›

Japanese people also enjoy the passing of the seasons and the beauty of nature by garnishing food with seasonal flowers and leaves, as well as by using tableware and furnishings tailored to the season.

What are the seasons and what is displayed in Japan? ›

Japan is well-admired for its four distinct seasons. From the cherry blossoms of spring and the lush greenery of summer, to the vibrant autumn foliage and the snowy winter landscapes, you can truly experience the beauty of nature all year round.

What role have nature and the Four Seasons played in the arts of Japan over the centuries? ›

In this way, artists in Japan created meditations on the fleeting seasons of life and, through them, expressed essential truths about the nature of human experience. This sensitivity to seasonal change is an important part of Shinto, Japan's native belief system.

What is the significance of the seasons in the cuisine of Japan? ›

The changing of the seasons has a significant impact on Japanese food culture. Seasonal ingredients are highly valued, as they are believed to be at their peak in terms of flavor and nutrition during certain times of the year.

What does the winter symbolize in Japan? ›

In Japan, the Winter Solstice, also known as the shortest day of the year, is celebrated as a symbol of harmony and balance. Rooted in Chinese philosophy, it is believed to be a balance point between the 'yin' of darkness and cold, and the 'yang' of warmth and light.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Maia Crooks Jr

Last Updated:

Views: 5725

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Maia Crooks Jr

Birthday: 1997-09-21

Address: 93119 Joseph Street, Peggyfurt, NC 11582

Phone: +2983088926881

Job: Principal Design Liaison

Hobby: Web surfing, Skiing, role-playing games, Sketching, Polo, Sewing, Genealogy

Introduction: My name is Maia Crooks Jr, I am a homely, joyous, shiny, successful, hilarious, thoughtful, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.