When you think of Japanese philosophy, “Zen” is likely one of the first things that comes to mind, especially in the United States. Zen, which famously influenced Steve Jobs, is also recognized as the inspiration behind “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR), established by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn.

In the U.S., Zen is often understood as a method for stress relief and relaxation. But in Japan, where Zen originated, it runs much deeper. Zen shapes shared values at an almost unconscious level, influencing not just lifestyle but also aesthetics. One of the simplest expressions of this Zen aesthetic is the concept of wabi-sabi, a term you’ve likely heard before. It’s often described as an appreciation for imperfection and the beauty of aging, but did you know that in Zen Buddhism, wabi-sabi is also seen as a path to enlightenment? This intertwining of aesthetics and spirituality is central to Zen’s influence.

A perfect example of wabi-sabi can be found in the Japanese tea ceremony, where the beauty of simplicity and imperfection is embodied. Interestingly, the tea ceremony itself is rooted in Zen principles, as shown in the phrase Chazen Ichimi (茶禅一味), meaning “tea and Zen are one.”

Tatami mats also play a crucial role in tea rooms, embodying Zen and wabi-sabi ideals. Tatami, a unique Japanese flooring material, is still a powerful symbol of Zen thought. Its use extends beyond tea rooms to other traditional practices like flower arranging (kado) and martial arts such as judo—practices that also carry the do (道), meaning “the way,” a nod to the pursuit of truth and moral principles.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the basics of Zen, explore the connection between Zen and the Japanese tea ceremony, and discuss how the wabi-sabi aesthetic ties into tatami mats and Japanese culture. Stay with me as we dive into these rich and fascinating concepts!

INDEX

• What is “Zen”?
• The Connection between Zen and Tea
• About Zen Philosophy
• Zen’s Influence on Japanese Culture
• Relationship between Japanese Tea Ceremony and Tatami
• Conclusion

 

The Japanese Buddhist scholar D.T. Suzuki, among others, helped introduce Zen to the English-speaking world, making it a common term in the U.S. However, the word “Zen” often carries multiple meanings, and even native Japanese speakers sometimes mix them up. So, let’s clarify the different nuances that “Zen” can take on.

In everyday use, “Zen” typically refers to one of three main ideas:

1. Zen (禅): In Buddhism, this refers to a constant state of calm, an essential condition for reaching enlightenment.
2. Zen Buddhism (禅宗, Zenshu): A branch of Buddhism focused on achieving enlightenment through zazen meditation.
3. Zazen (座禅): A meditation practice where sitting quietly helps attain the mental clarity and stillness associated with Zen.

In simple terms, Zen is a stable, peaceful state of mind, Zen Buddhism is the school of thought dedicated to nurturing that stability, and zazen is the practice used to achieve it. If “Zen” feels like it has a spiritual or religious undertone, that’s because it stems directly from Buddhist teachings.

Zen Buddhism, which played a key role in shaping Zen thought, is said to have originated in China in the early 6th century. Bodhidharma, a Buddhist monk regarded as the founder of Zen Buddhism, brought Zen from India, the birthplace of Buddhism, to China. Over time, Zen Buddhism branched into various sects, and one of them, the Rinzai school, was introduced to Japan by a monk named Eisai (栄西) after he studied it in China.

An interesting side note is that Eisai also brought matcha tea, which was popular in Zen temples during China’s Song Dynasty, back to Japan. This marked the beginning of Japan’s tea-drinking culture, though it might not be what we imagine today as the elegant Japanese tea ceremony. In Zen Buddhist practice, matcha tea was valued for its caffeine, helping monks stay focused during intense meditation. The medicinal benefits of tea were the initial appeal, making tea a practical tool for concentration.

But Eisai didn’t just bring the tea itself—he also introduced the Zen Buddhist tea etiquette known as Sarei (茶礼), which translates to “tea ceremony.” This ritual involved drinking tea or hot water together after morning zazen, meals, work breaks, and before bed. The act of sharing tea from a single kettle was intended to unite the participants’ minds, a state known as wago (和合), meaning harmony. This mindset would later influence the development of the Japanese tea ceremony.

While Eisai’s introduction of matcha laid the groundwork for Japan’s tea culture, the tea ceremony we know today didn’t spring up overnight. Early tea gatherings emphasized entertainment, with activities like Tōcha (闘茶), a competition where participants guessed the origin of tea by its aroma and taste, and the appreciation of ornate tea utensils.

However, Murata Jukō (村田珠光), considered the founder of the Japanese tea ceremony, opposed this indulgent approach. He infused the tea ceremony with Zen philosophy, creating Wabi-cha, a simpler, more spiritual form of tea practice. The goal of Wabi-cha was to foster a deep, spiritual connection by sharing tea in a modest, four-and-a-half-tatami-mat room. This focus on meaningful connection echoed the wago mentality introduced in Zen tea rituals.

Later, Sen no Rikyū (千利休), following the teachings of Takeno Jōō (武野紹鴎), would perfect the tea ceremony, shaping it into the art form we recognize today.

Earlier, I mentioned that Zen is “a constant state of mind that is unperturbed.” To reach this state, Zen practitioners undergo rigorous training, and several core values guide them through this process.
What sets Zen apart from many other religions is its focus on achieving enlightenment without relying on scriptures or written teachings. Instead, it emphasizes self-discovery through zazen, a form of meditation.
Another key aspect of Zen practice is the respect for simplicity. Practitioners aim to free themselves from the concerns and distractions of the outside world that can stir emotional unrest. This mindset, which embraces simplicity, is often considered the root of the aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi seeks beauty in simplicity, not just in outward appearances but in fostering a deeper, more meaningful inner life.

Zen, which originated in India and made its way to Japan through China, evolved uniquely in Japan, blending with the country’s temperament and cultural climate. As this transformation occurred, a distinct sense of beauty emerged, rooted in Zen values and extending beyond religious boundaries. This aesthetic is characterized by minimalism, favoring simplicity over glamour and eliminating unnecessary ornamentation. It’s quite unique when you consider that religious art in many cultures tends to be more decorative.

If we were to sum up these Zen-influenced values in one word, it would be wabi-sabi. As mentioned earlier, wabi-sabi is thought to have emerged from Zen, and understanding this aesthetic is believed to be essential for reaching enlightenment in Zen Buddhism. Wabi-sabi is a multi-layered concept, and I’d like to break it down into seven key components to help clarify how this aesthetic underpins Japanese art, architecture, and interior design.

1. Asymmetry
   Zen values the incomplete, uneven, and endless over symmetry or perfection. Life is seen as fluid and evolving, rather than fixed.
2. Simplicity
   While life appears complex, Zen teaches that at its core, life is simple. Wabi-sabi appreciates simplicity as the ultimate expression of beauty.
3. Kokou (枯高) – The Beauty in Aging
   Instead of focusing on surface beauty, wabi-sabi finds value in the inner beauty of old, weathered objects that have stood the test of time.
4. Be Natural
   Zen places importance on staying grounded in the natural order of things, letting life unfold as it is meant to without forced control.
5. Yūgen (幽玄) – Mysterious and Profound
   Wabi-sabi appreciates depth and subtlety, valuing what is mysterious and hidden over what is obvious and easily understood.
6. Detachment from the Secular World
   Turning away from worldly obsessions and reconnecting with one’s inner nature is a key Zen principle.
7. Serenity of Mind
   To truly embrace all things in life, Zen teaches that it is essential to cultivate a quiet, peaceful mind.

By understanding these seven components, you’ll begin to see how wabi-sabi influences not just Japanese art and architecture but also everyday objects and spaces that embody these values.

In addition to the wabi-sabi aesthetic, another key feature of Zen Buddhism is its respect for form in practice. In Zen, it is believed that “spirit and form are not separate.” This means that where there is spirit, there must be form to express it, and where there is form, the spirit is present to give it meaning. In other words, form and spirituality are deeply intertwined.

This philosophy is clearly reflected in the Eihei Shingi (永平清規), a text written by Dōgen (道元), the founder of the Sōtō school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The Eihei Shingi outlines the daily life of ascetic monks, covering not only their behavior, eating, and drinking manners but also rituals like offering tea to the Buddha and hosting guests. The emphasis on form in spiritual practice resonated strongly with the samurai, whose growing influence in Japan during that time helped Zen spread throughout the country. This connection is why Zen became a foundation of samurai lifestyle and spirituality.

After Murata Jukō combined tea culture with Zen philosophy to create Wabi-cha, the early form of the Japanese tea ceremony, the respect for form became central to this practice as well. What’s particularly interesting is the significant role that tatami plays in this formal practice.

Tatami mats are used as flooring in the chashitsu (茶室, or “tea room”), where the tea ceremony takes place. This connection stems from the influence of the shoin-zukuri architectural style of the time, where tatami was a key feature, and it naturally carried over to tea rooms. One of the defining characteristics of tatami is its heri (a cloth border attached to the edges of tatami mats for reinforcement and decoration). In the chashitsu, this border serves as a boundary, clearly defining the positions of the host and guests. This helps everyone understand their roles and the etiquette required in the space.

Another key feature of tatami is its woven surface, known as tatami-no-me. Tea rooms typically use Kyōma (京間) tatami mats, which measure 191 cm x 95.5 cm and are woven with 64 knots across the width. This weave functions like a natural grid that guides every movement in the tea room. For example, the space between the natsume (棗, a matcha tea container) and the chasen (茶筅, a tea whisk) is typically measured as three tatami stitches, and the guest sits 16 stitches from the tatami edge. By following this grid and adhering to the strict form, practitioners are able to move gracefully while maintaining ease of function.

This blending of aesthetics and practicality shares much in common with Japanese minimalism, where beauty and functionality coexist in harmony. As you can see, tatami plays a crucial role in preserving the forms that embody these Zen values in the tea ceremony.

In this issue, we’ve explored the fascinating connection between Zen, wabi-sabi, and tatami—three elements often linked but not always well understood. We used the lens of Japanese tea culture to unravel this relationship, revealing insights into their unique interplay. What were your impressions?

Originally, Zen philosophy, brought to Japan from China, and the culture of tea drinking were not closely connected. However, over time, historical circumstances forged an ideological bond between the two. This gave rise to the Japanese tea ceremony, deeply rooted in the aesthetic of wabi-sabi, which reflects the simplicity and beauty in imperfection. This connection offers a glimpse into the uniqueness of Japanese culture.

Tatami, in particular, played a pivotal role in supporting the practice of Zen aesthetics within the tea ceremony. Its natural composition, made from igusa (rush), perfectly aligns with Zen’s emphasis on the natural order of things. This makes tatami an ideal element for creating interiors inspired by Zen and wabi-sabi.

That wraps up this issue! If you’re inspired to incorporate wabi-sabi elements into your home, please contact us. Our tatami mats are the perfect foundation for achieving this timeless aesthetic. Stay tuned for our next issue, where we’ll dive into more intriguing interior design topics from a variety of perspectives.

 

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禅宗とは？総本山・開祖と教えの特徴を簡単に分かりやすく解説
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侘び寂び
禅とお茶の密な関係〜茶道が持つ深い精神性とは〜 – 煎茶堂東京オンライン
形と精神 | 臨済宗大本山　円覚寺
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茶道と仏教：茶道が仏教を基にいかに成立したかを説明します。
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畳が生んだ和の文化「茶の湯」 – (有)畳工房ヨシオカ
日本の伝統文化である茶道。その茶道と畳には切り離しては考えられない程の深い関係があります。茶道の畳の目の数から名称までお茶室の畳のお話。 – 静岡市 宮原畳店