Less Is More in Japan
Back when i was happily single, i loved travelling to countries like Nepal and India. I embraced their brutal assault on my senses. The cacophony of diverse sights, sounds and smells energised my senses and hyper-sensitised me to my surroundings, making me feel invigorated and present in the moment.
With the double whammy that can only be delivered by the destabilising forces of middle age and parenthood, I find myself drawn to Japan’s simplicity these days. Occupied with a shrieking baby and a precocious toddler who can’t stop asking “Why? Why? Why?!”, I find myself craving for peace and quiet, not just for my strained ears, but also for my weary eyes.
During this Japan trip, I find myself captivated by how the Japanese masterfully employ space to make quiet statements that reflect the current times and season of the year. They are not afraid of using one artifact to decorate an entire wall, trusting that its artistry is sufficient to draw your attention. Also, just when I least expect it, I will find some obscure corner being furnished with surprising details that never fail to activate my trigger-happy impulse. Everything is so clean-cut and sleek that I feel that my eyes are on a retreat, only taking in the necessary important details.
It seems that “less is more” is a philosophy embodied by the Japanese in their everyday lives. They execute it intentionally to elevate their spaces and souls. This isn’t to say that I won’t ever enjoy the chaotic and boisterous energy of Nepal and India, but I quite relished sticking to minimalism in Japan.