Closing eyes

I think there is also a tight connection between the idea of "hiding"and the concept of shadow and silence. Westerners often relate the concept of shadow with hiding, like covering the light source, covering the truth.

I think there is also a tight connection between the idea of "hiding"and the concept of shadow and silence. Westerners often relate the concept of shadow with hiding, like covering the light source, covering the truth. Shoji panels furnish Japanese tradition houses, they consist of a sliding panel that is made of translucent paper set in a wooden frame, it separates spaces creating temporary rooms. Shoji screens are not enough transparent to make you see what is happening inside(privacy) but enough to allow shadows to be cast from one room to the other.

The circle is considered a symbol of emptiness and fullness according to Zen principles.

Heiko san.A mild lack of expression in the face (Muhyoujyou), but also the typical modesty, reservedness of japanese people (Enryo and Kenson) are strictly connected to the concept of Honne and Tatemae. Japanese people often prefer not to answer instead of disagreeing, as they perceive a “no” as a conflict which would ruin the Harmony.

Hidden beauty

Hiding an opinion, or just not going straight to the point can lead to ambiguity which is a positive value in Japan. I discovered a famous Japanese proverb stating: (literally translation) Flower that is not talking/ Not saying is a flower (Iwanu ga hana). The english meaning could be referred to “some things are better left unsaid”.

Many people in Japan wear medical masks; for some of them it is just a sign of cedar allergies or a cold, but many others like to wear them as they provide distance and privacy from others.

Silence (chinmoku) can be seen as a value to avoid contrast and to keep a distance to the other without adding other signs of hostility. And it also a way for japanese to communicate without words, by “reading the air” (Kuuki Yomenai) and speak heart to heart. “Can’t read the air” means being unable to read a situation as japanese people express way more with body language than words, it becomes necessary then to read between the lines.

Ayako san.
Harmony is a very important element of japanese society in many diverse situations and conditions. Harmony means agreeing and being part of a group, following its rules and respect it (family, society, company). But harmony can be translated as well as being able to self control oneself in order to be part of a wider whole. This is connected with the idea of putting a distance to the others, and also to control own’s emotions. 

Keiko san

Hidden nature

Silence and darkness

Harmony is also connected to the aesthetics and what is considered beautiful. We can find another example in Ikebana that draws from Japanese aesthetics (Mono No Aware) which can be translated with the “impermanence of things”. Japanese people consider beautiful what is simple, not superfluous but also impermanent. Ikebana, as well as Japanese shared values are also tightly tied with Zen principles of simplicity (substracting the superfluous), making void and austerity. According to japanese aesthetics, a moon covered by clouds is more attractive than the full moon, precisely because it is partially hidden.

Shou san

I think there is also a tight connection between the idea of "hiding"and the concept of shadow and silence. Westerners often relate the concept of shadow with hiding, like covering the light source, covering the truth.

Japanese society is strongly hierarchized (Kaisou) and everybody has to follow its rules and people feel a very strong respect for group and society expectations. Japanese culture doesn’t celebrate uniqueness. This sense of collectivism is so important and internalized into japanese culture that people naturally follow its rules and hierarchies, including a massive use of uniforms among its people. Salary men are helped by “how to” manuals to teach them how to dress at work.

Related to silence we can find the concept of emptiness, not just as a space in architecture, but also in calligraphy or traditional poetry (Haiku) empty spaces have the same importance of letters and words suggesting to be able to read within the lines.