Buddhist Influences on Design

Kanos and Koko

• Roughly translated as "simplicity" and "austerity," Kanos and Koko are Zen Buddhist design principles that emphasize smooth, simple design elements over gaudy ornamentation and unnecessary clutter. These principles embody the aphorism that a cluttered room equals a cluttered mind. A room laid out according to the principles of Kanos and Koko has straight lines and is filled with simply designed furniture whose purpose is unclouded by unnecessary additions -- for example, a straight-backed chair rather than a plush recliner.

Shizen and Datsuzoku

• Meaning "naturalness and freedom from worldly attachments," Shizen and Datsuzoku emphasize the importance of natural building materials, such as unpolished wood, for structural design, and decorative elements such as flowers or sand design for ornamentation. Additionally, Shizen and Datsuzoku deemphasize the importance of overly decorative ornaments like jeweled chandeliers, frame mirrors or gilding of any kind.

Fukinsei

• The principle of Fukinsei translates as "asymmetry," and it maintains that symmetry reflects stasis and rigidity, which are counter to the natural asymmetry and disorder of our lives. Additionally, Fukinsei argues for orderly asymmetry in a room so as to generate creativity and spontaneity, as opposed to the the stymieing effects of structured symmetry. A room designed according to the principle of Fukinsei de-emphasizes matching elements according to size, shape and color, and emphasizes that rooms instead be designed around utility, entrance and exit points.

Yugen and Sejaku

• Yugen translates roughly as "subtle profundity," while Sejaku translates as "silence." Both principles emphasize the importance of small design elements that are meant to provoke reflection and creativity, particularly those associated with the natural environment during dusk and dawn, as well as late fall and early spring. These elements do not reside in physical objects of the room itself, but rather in natural elements that interact with the interior space, such as early morning sunlight, a late afternoon gentle breeze or even the tapping of a leafeless branch on a window's outer pane. Such elements are meant to inspire occupants to recognize the room as a simple part of something greater and, by proxy, to recognize themselves as a simple part of something greater.