Yūgen 幽玄.
The yūgen 幽玄. Although difficult to translate, this term evokes a mysterious depth and subtle beauty that transcends the ordinary. It refers to the understanding and nostalgic evocation of the mysterious beauty of the world. It is not a question of appealing to the imagination or describing concrete reality, but of perceiving the world as endowed with an implicit depth that artists can subtly express.
The word "yūgen" comes from Japanese aesthetic vocabulary, and its roots lie in Zen Buddhism and Taoism. In these traditions, yūgen represents a state of soul that connects to the universe and nature. It suggests a hidden reality, a beauty that emerges from simple, everyday things.
The term itself is composed of two kanji: 幽 (yū), which means "dark" or "mysterious", and 玄 (gen), which connotes depth and mystery. Together, they reflect a notion of beauty that cannot be fully grasped or explained, but which awakens deep emotions..
The Origins
Characteristics of Yūgen
Evocation rather than description: Yūgen often manifests through impressions and sensations rather than literal representations. This can be found in poetry, Noh theater, or even Japanese gardens, where each element is carefully thought out to provoke deeper thought.
Simplicity and Purity: The beauty of yūgen lies in simplicity. Natural elements, like the sound of wind in the trees or the twinkle of a star, evoke a feeling of peace and contemplation. Arts that embrace yūgen, such as the tea ceremony, emphasize authenticity and modesty.
Temporality: Yūgen is often associated with the idea of transience. It reminds us that beauty lies in the ephemeral, a principle found in the famous Japanese notion of mono no aware*, the melancholy beauty of things that pass.
*mono no aware: is a Japanese aesthetic and spiritual concept, which can be translated as “empathy towards things” and can be compared to European equivalents, for example “memento mori”..
Katsushika Hokusai
Drawer
Matsuo Basho
Poeth
Utagawa Hiroshige
Drawer
Yūgen artists
Yūgen in Art and Literature
The concept of yūgen is omnipresent in various Japanese artistic fields. In Noh theater, performances evoke complex emotions through slow movements and subtle expressions, inviting the viewer to feel rather than understand.
In poetry, particularly haiku, writers capture fleeting moments of natural beauty, often leaving space for reflection and interpretation. For example, a haiku can describe an autumn landscape without explicitly revealing its emotions, letting the reader immerse themselves in their own world.
The moon
makes it rain
on the treetops..
Haiku from Matsuo Basho