The Japanese Philosophy of Shizen - Nature and Naturalness

Shizen is a Japanese aesthetic term similar to wabi-sabi or yugen, in that it can be a philosophy, a design concept, and even a lifestyle.
The dictionary definition of shizen is “nature, ” “natural,” and also “spontaneous.” The real meaning of shizen has come to be a part of Japanese culture, Shinto, and Zen Buddhist thought which recognizes it as “human nature,” including both people and wilderness together...
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[@darkangelkate3950]

Thank you for introducing me to Shizen. I appreciate and find comfort in Wabi Sabi. I am going to continue discovering this new 'philosophy'

[@ShizenStyle]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@solomiahrytsyukmedia]

Thank you, your videos are so pleasant to watch and learn new things.

[@ShizenStyle]

Happy to hear that! Thank you.

[@shaunkeenanphoto]

Nicely explained

[@ShizenStyle]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@utube4ucb]

Love it!

[@ShizenStyle]

Thanks!!

[@karnienka]

Thanks for this video. It is so useful to learn the terms for different states of happiness and wellbeing.

[@ShizenStyle]

Glad it was helpful!

[@notadonna5983]

New but somehow familiar concepts. Thank you!❤

[@deadpoet50]

I’m sorry I didn’t find your channel before. The concepts are fascinating. True, it’s difficult for a Westerner to capture the full meaning of naturalness when seeing a Japanese garden because in all its beauty and serenity there is also a manipulation of nature. And yet they look “natural.” It’s alluring. Will read more on the subject. Thank you for your very educational and well presented videos

[@ShizenStyle]

Glad you enjoyed the video and the subject.

[@suninmoon4601]

Just discovered your channel. Very nice! I'm reminded of a description I read some time ago: The objective of the Japanese garden is to make a scene seem somehow more natural than if it had been left alone.

[@ShizenStyle]

Interesting! That sounds like something to strive for, to put your touches on it but still stay true to nature.

[@suninmoon4601]

@@ShizenStyle Yes, very much in the spirit of Shizen, man and Nature cooperating in living art.

[@DestroyCooperative]

I’ve been adopting these concepts more and more into my lifestyle through the creation and maintenance of aquascaping and nature style aquariums in my home.

[@ShizenStyle]

That's so cool. Something I've never really looked into, terrariums and kokedama balls were as far as I got. But it sounds like a great way of bringing nature indoors and connecting with it.

[@DestroyCooperative]

@@ShizenStyle The Godfather of it all was a Japanese nature photographer named Takashi Amano. Just search his name anywhere online. It's a wonderful rabbit hole to get inspired by. Amano-san RIP

[@lauracaruso2524]

You gave a very understandable presentation in such a calming and fluid way. I look forward to watching your other videos.

[@ShizenStyle]

Thanks a lot, I hope you enjoy them. A lot of trial and error in some of the beginning videos though ;)

[@Nayaret73]

Thanks , saludos desde Chile 💙🇨🇱

[@amysoucy8369]

Beautiful, like the haiku.

[@ShizenStyle]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bedofromkokstad9034]

I really enjoy your videos. I've created a Tea Garden and Rock and Sand garden in my small space and find constant tranquility and peace in it. The aesthetic is Japanese, but the plants are indigenous to my country, South Africa.... So, it has been an exercise regarding "form", which has been very interesting. I get many visitors to my garden, and all find it peacefully alluring, despite them being unfamiliar with the style. Your definitions of Shizen thus resonate with me because a Japanese "style" garden doesn't necessarily need to contain the usual Japanese plants such as maples, cherry or azaleas, but is more about "nature", "naturalness" and "spontaneity" and incorporating the principles of "blank space", "borrowed scenery", "asymmetry", etc., but all "of a certain place"..... It's the human application of the principles and "manipulation" of nature to a space, which results in the profound final effect that is satisfactory and effective and true to its setting. Thank you for your informative content.

[@boringlife5446]

can I know the resources you use?

[@midishh]

what really irritates me is that people in developed countries appreciating nature is a philosophy and sophisticated view... meanwhile people who have always appreciated it are seen as underdeveloped nations or even savages, example the native Americans.