'Japandi' Why Japanese-meets-Scandi design is taking over the internet

2023年05月06日

スカンジナビアと日本のデザイン美学を融合させた"Japandi"は、Covid-19の閉鎖期間中、人々が静寂と落ち着きのあるインテリアを求めたことから人気を博しました。「ヒュッゲ（居心地の良さ）」と「わびさび（不完全さを受け入れる）」の原則を組み合わせたJapandiは、天然素材、ニュートラルな色調、ミニマルな装飾を重視します。Japandi Livingの著者であるLaila Rietbergenは、この多彩で落ち着いたスタイルを実現するために、断捨離や手作りの丈夫なアイテムへの投資を勧めています。(English) A fusion of Scandinavian and Japanese design aesthetics, Japandi gained popularity during the Covid-19 lockdown as people sought serene and calming interiors. Combining the principles of 'hygge' (cosiness) and 'wabi-sabi' (accepting imperfection), Japandi emphasises natural materials, neutral tones and minimalist decor. Laila Rietbergen, the author of Japandi Living, recommends decluttering and investing in handmade, durable items to achieve this versatile, serene style.

'Japandi': Why Japanese-meets-Scandi design is taking over the Internet

The cosy cleanliness of Scandinavian interiors and the minimalist beauty of traditional Japanese decor have become staples of modern home design. However, a growing trend combines the two: 'Japandi'.

Google searches for the term spiked in the winter of 2020 as people worldwide redesigned their homes amid the Covid-19 lockdown. Since then, interest has steadily increased, according to data from Google Trends.

"I think a lot of people were looking for a relaxing style," said Laila Rietbergen, author of the new book "Japandi Living", in an email interview. "The serene and calming aesthetic of the Japandi style and the handcrafted, more durable items fit this need perfectly."

As zeitgeisty as it seems, this design fusion dates back to the 1860s, says Rietbergen. She traces the roots of the aesthetic to the Danish naval lieutenant William Carstensen, who visited Japan as it was opening up after two centuries of self-isolation.

His book 'Japan's Capital and the Japanese' forced Danish designers to travel to Japan for the first time, where they discovered that both cultures valued simplicity and natural beauty, says Rietbergen.

Contemporary interior designers are rediscovering similarities using neutral tones, natural materials and minimalist decor.

As well as practical tips for readers, Rietbergen's book features dozens of photographs of immaculate Japanese-style homes. As cosy as they are sleek, the living rooms are decorated with delicate paper lamps and inviting cream sofas handmade by Scandinavian designers.

In one, a sleek kitchen opens to reveal uncluttered light brown cabinets that complement the dining room's wheat and tawny tones.

A plant adds a splash of green to the room. Rietbergen says both Scandinavian and Japanese design emphasises the importance of nature, not only through colours such as light browns, tans and soft whites but also by using materials such as linen and wood to create an atmosphere of tranquillity.

Hygge and Wabi-Sabi

The key to Japandi design is to create something subtly decorated without feeling empty - a place that is elegant but where you can "feel at home and relaxed", says Rietbergen, whose Instagram page @japandi.interior has nearly 450,000 followers.

It revolves around two design principles: "hygge," a Danish and Norwegian term referring to the feeling of cosiness and warmth, and "wabi-sabi," the Japanese concept of accepting imperfection.

To achieve both, it is essential to declutter, said Rietbergen, citing Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo, whose home organisation methods have become a global phenomenon following the success of her Netflix show "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo". Like Kondo, Rietbergen recommends treating tidying less as a chore and more as a celebration - and a chance to reflect on whether the things around you make you happy.

Japanese style also celebrates craftsmanship, whether Isamu Noguchi's delicate light sculptures or furniture by Carl Hansen, whose wishbone chairs sell for thousands of dollars. But Rietbergen insists that even those decorating on a budget can achieve the aesthetic. After all, she says, it is a philosophy guided by the belief that "less is more".

Rather than buying cheap, mass-produced furniture that won't last, Rietbergen suggests buying second-hand and saving up for those few standout pieces you can cherish for years. And in any case, the beauty of Japandi design is that there are no strict criteria to follow, the author adds.

"Every home and every interpretation of Japandi style is different," she says. "It's important to dare to make your own choices. Your home is not a showroom and shouldn't be a copy of something you've seen. An important part is to add personal elements and objects".

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Q1. What does it mean in the following sentences?

Especially please let me know about"hygge" and "wabi-sabi".

"'hygge' (cosiness) and 'wabi-sabi' (accepting imperfection), Japandi emphasises natural materials, neutral tones and minimalist decor."

A1-> In the context of Japandi design, "hygge" is a Danish and Norwegian term referring to the feeling of cosiness, warmth, and comfort. At the same time, "wabi-sabi" is a Japanese concept of embracing and accepting imperfection and materials' natural wear and tear. The design style of Japandi combines these two principles, focusing on using raw materials, neutral colour tones, and minimalist decor to create a calming and harmonious living space.

Q2. Why do you think Japandi surged in Google searches in 2020?

People must have wanted the impact of COVID-19 and the unstressful life, but what made Japanese and Scandinavian styles, in particular, so famous?

Please list five and tell us why.

A2->

Japandi surged in Google searches in 2020 due to several factors:

1. Lockdown lifestyle: With people spending more time at home due to Covid-19 restrictions, they sought to create more comfortable and calming living spaces. Japandi's blend of Scandinavian and Japanese aesthetics offers a serene environment for reducing stress.

2. Minimalism: Scandinavian and Japanese designs emphasize minimalism, which can help declutter living spaces and create a more organized and visually appealing environment.

3. Nature-inspired: Japandi's focus on natural materials and earthy tones resonates with people seeking a connection to nature and tranquillity, especially during times of uncertainty and stress.

4. Long-lasting quality: Japandi encourages investing in handcrafted, durable items rather than mass-produced, disposable products. This approach aligns with growing sustainability concerns and the desire for timeless, high-quality items.

5. Global appeal: The fusion of two distinct cultural styles offers a unique and appealing design aesthetic that can be easily adapted to various tastes and preferences. Japandi's versatility makes it attractive to a broad audience seeking a fresh and contemporary look.

Q3. Please tell us about William Carstensen's book 'Japan's Capital and the Japanese'.

This article describes it as follows:

Initially, Denmark also emphasized simplicity and natural beauty. And Japan had a similar culture.

How do you think a similar culture grew up in such a foreign country so far away?

A3-> William Carstensen's book 'Japan's Capital and the Japanese documents his experiences and observations from his visit to Japan in the 1860s, when the country opened up after two centuries of self-isolation. The book introduced Danish designers to Japanese aesthetics, highlighting the two cultures' shared values of simplicity and natural beauty.

While it's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for the development of similar cultural values in distant countries like Denmark and Japan, some possible factors include:

1. Environmental influence: Both countries' natural landscapes and resources could have shaped their appreciation for simplicity and natural beauty. Denmark's forests, coasts, fjords, and Japan's mountains, forests, and rivers may have contributed to developing similar values.

2. Cultural evolution: Over time, different cultures can independently arrive at similar values and aesthetics through cultural development as societies develop preferences that work well in their specific environments.

3. Spiritual beliefs: Danish and Japanese cultures may have developed an appreciation for simplicity and nature due to their respective spiritual beliefs, such as Shintoism in Japan and the influence of early Nordic ideas in Denmark, which emphasize harmony with nature.

4. Trade and cultural exchange: Although Japan was isolated for two centuries, there were still limited exchanges with other countries. These interactions could have influenced the development of their aesthetics and appreciation for natural beauty.

5. Universal human values: Some values, like the appreciation for simplicity and natural beauty, could be considered universal human values, which can emerge independently in different cultures due to shared human experiences and desires for harmony and tranquillity.