Shibui Kimono

Hade

-bright colored, bold patterned, exuberant in over-all effect, youthful..

Typified by kimono of young women and young geisha, or the red and gold shrines of Nikko. This was the “official face” Japan put on for the world in tourism and national publicity after WW II.

Iki

-chic, smart, stylish, clever and sophisticated

Typified by kimono and dress of professional models, older geisha, and actresses. It is the Japanese equivalent of the French word “chic”.

Jimi

-sober and sedate in color, unobtrusive, proper, correct, and quiet. Small, over-all patterns, regularly placed, obvious and less dynamic.

Most Japanese strive to achieve “shibui” in their dress and other possessions. Many probably  achieve only “jimi”. “Shibui” takes more depth of understanding than “Jimi”. They get the “words but not the tune”, and may achieve only proper correctness.

Shibui

-unobtrusive and unostentatious, intrinsically good (can even be rich), patterns not regularly placed, often unfinished, creating interesting spaces. Simple, with an economy of line and effort. Nothing complicated could be called “Shibui”. Must have depths worth studying, after first noticed, must have design character, and be fitting exploitation of the nature of the material and the method. Should not be shiny or new looking, though small touches of sparkle can be used. Even if new, object should have dull patina that comes with loving care. If applied to color scheme, the large areas of color should be dark, rich and unobtrusive, but there  should be a small sharp accent color somewhere to give astringency and interest. The essence of controlled understatement, aimed to produce tranquility. A feeling of modesty and humility is necessary in striving for “shibui”.

“Shibui” is the essence of Japanese culture and is considered the ultimate in taste, for all but the very young. There are two strains of it: the folk craft school of thought and the aristocratic school of thought. In actuality, one can encompass both.

All information quoted from “House Beautiful” magazine, August 1960, article entitled “The Shibui Syndrome”.

With special thanks to our friend Sachiko Matsushita for the Japanese calligraphy.