Japanese Ki and the Concept of Shibui
I have always been fascinated by the aesthetic concepts of Japanese gardening, which relate very much to the classic Feng Shui principles of disposing of all clutter. Although Feng Shui is typically practiced by the Chinese who enhance Chi, the Japanese enhance Ki. This ancient art is practiced through a similar form of object arrangement.
The concept of Shibui mostly applies to Japanese gardening but you can apply it to interior healing spaces as well. The aesthetic describes personal spaces that are austere, clean and reserved in nature. There is a simplicity and purity to shabui that simply isn’t replicated in any other culture
Things that are shibui are also considered to eternal. The name translates to mean “excellent taste” A number of characteristics define a space as being shibui including:
A lack of clutter. This means no plants, pails, trailing or creeping plants in your garden. Fences, posts, columns and anything else is also considered to be ugly in a shibui garden. Knick knacks, windmills and ceramic statues of frogs are also definitely out.
Sleek design planes. Nothing should be hanging or dangling, snarled up. Even a birdhouse is not permitted The absolute antithesis to the concept of shibui would be to have a little plastic pail of geraniums hanging off your front porch. By the way it is not likely your house would have a porch or even front steps if you were following the rules of this shibui correctly. Rock outcrops are also not admired in the shibui concept. Rocks are flat and bear a smooth sheen. When applying this rule to your interior design it means picking flat low furniture in monochromatic colors and dispensing with all wall ornaments, carpets and chandeliers.
Uniformity of design and material. As a shibui garden is somewhat minimalist, sand and gravel would be used to delineate paths or garden paths rather than bunches of planted pansies or a miniature picket fence. Even garden lights would not be allowed. In terms of an interior space applying shibui would mean having an all natural cork or wood floor that is not interrupted by carpets. U
No even numbers. Rocks in a Japanese shibui garden are arranged in groups that add up to odd numbers. Nothing is placed in pairs in a shibui space. This is true both inside or outside your home. Asymmetry is preferred to symmetry. The asymmetry of the number is three is preferable to the symmetry of things grouped a pairs. When applied to the inside of your home this principle would entail that you group any freestanding objects or furniture in groups of three. Even your dining room table would have three chairs instead of four.
Minimalist use of color. A Shibui space makes use of light to define its shape. If you are painting a room it would be done in black and white. When planting a garden it would be in the darkest shades of green with the occasional flash of a dark crimson flower.
The lack of clutter and color alone qualifies the concept of Shibui as a design aesthetic that could be applied to the art of Feng Shui. Personally I just love the purity of it.
Peace Be Still. Sam
Samantha Stevens is the author of several metaphysical books including Psychic Self Defense and Creating Love.