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Where there is clutter, even valuable things lose their value. Where there is too much,nothing stands out.

The essence of Japanese aesthetic is a concept called 'MA' (pronounced "maah") thepure, and indeed essential, void between all "things."

A total lack of clutter, MA is like a holder within which things can exist, stand out and havemeaning.

MA is the emptiness full of possibilities, like a promise yet to be fulfilled.

(Picture above is the Japanese Kanji character for MA).

Minimalism and BeyondLook at it this way: When you feel there is too much clutter, it isnot because you have too many things; it is rather because youdon't have enough MA.

The presence of MA makes the minimalism of a Japanesetatami room so serene. However, minimalism is limited tophysical form and space, where MA is not.

MA in essence is what makes minimalism possible. MA is in thepurposeful pauses in speech which make words stand out. It isin the quiet time we all need to make our busy lives meaningful,and in the silence between the notes which make the music.

MA is what creates the peace of mind (called 'heijoshin' in Japanese) we all need, so that there is room for our thoughtsto exist properly, and to thrive.

Examples in Daily Living

MA is manifest in Japanese living architecture, garden design, musics,flower arrangements (Ikebana) and poetry.

However, far from being just a philosophical or artistic concept, MA isever-present in all aspects of Japanese daily life.

As a small example, when Japanese are taught to bow in early age, theyare told to make a deliberate pause at the end of the bow before theycome back up as to make sure there is enough MA in their bow for itto have meaning and look respectful.

Similarly, a tea break in a busy day has to be in a quiet place, away fromthe routines of work so that one can soak in the serenity of MA before getting back to busy life.

Negative Space (and time?)Artists understand the importance of "negative space"which surrounds an object in a image. Its use can havea dramatic impact on the mood and tone of the finished

work.

MA takes the concept of negative space farther, to define a continuum which spans both space and time.

Home Tips and Tidbits when less is more the concept of japanese ma

When Less is More: Concept of Japanese "MA"

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In our busy lives, it is easy to feel there is not enoughtime to do everything properly. However, no matter howlittle time we can devote to any task, it has to have adeliberate beginning and a deliberate end, albeit short.Otherwise, our time goes by filled with one thing afteranother, like an essay with a lot of words withoutcomplete sentences, paragraphs, commas andperiods.

A Poetic ViewHere is an old poem about the meaning of MA:

Thirty spokes meet in the hub,though the space between them is the essence of the wheel.

Pots are formed from clay, though the space inside them is the essence of the pot.

Walls with windows and doors form the house,though the space within them is the essence of the house.

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