The Ancient History of Modern Japandi Design

At Stonewon, we utilize what is often called "Japandi" design. But what exactly is Japandi design? Today, we're going to answer that question for you.

Scandinavian Design Origins

Japandi is a creative mixture of Scandinavian minimalism and Japanese design principles. It combines utility and natural beauty into a single product.

Reducing clutter and commotion for people, it’s more than design, it exhibits a lifestyle philosophy.

Minimalism has proven to be a popular style since it left the small stage of 1960s New York art scene for the big-wide world. Building on decades of art that stripped away excess and distraction, the movement focused on simplicity in design.

Minimalism took root in the chilly region of Scandinavia where a tradition of quality materials and excellent craftsmanship combined to create a reputation for excellent minimalistic designs.

Yet, in its attempt to emphasize frugality, minimalism in many areas of design tended towards the bland or even industrial. It was too cold and mechanical.

What this movement needed was something to complete a missing piece to bring it to life.

Japanese Adoption and Influence

In the 1950s, Japanese architects visited Denmark and were impressed by the minimalist Scandinavian style there, and thus began a profitable cultural exchange that has come to be called Japandi. 

Avant-garde artists trying to simplify art styles became a focus on function in architecture for minimalist architects.

For example, Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, co-founder of Norm Architects, world renowned Japandi powerhouse, summed up the way minimalists approach design when he described a rule he follows:

Paulsen’s approach is to zero in on the utility of the design.

This is pure minimalism that reduces the product to its role. On the other hand, the simplicity of Japanese design is not merely useful architecture; the craftwork incorporates an emphasis on the subtle and natural beauty found in the environment.

Shintoism and Natural Influences

Shinto, Japan’s historic religion, centers the person within the wholeness of nature. Nature and its space are front-and-center in its aesthetics and beliefs.

This environmental awareness shaped their culture for at least a millennium by making harmony the guiding inspiration for many of Japan’s artistic choices – and now Japandi continues that tradition.

Keiji Ashizawa, of Keiji Ashizawa Designs, a leading Japanese design studio, described his approach to architecture and design:

“When we create furniture, we always start by looking at the space it will inhabit. I believe this architectural approach adds value in creating a brand where space and furniture are well-connected.”

He concentrates on the role of the environment and how the architecture will fit into that space. This is characteristic of Japanese culture.

Conclusion: Japandi Cultivates a Unique, Modern Style

Overall, Japandi fuses the modernity of the West and the sublime of the East into a unique design style that is crafted to be both useful and holistic.

StoneWon Design makes high quality Japandi inspired household pieces available for the minimalist in everyone. Our quality items will help reflect not only the need to be organized and efficient but make your home feel elegant and natural all at once.

A belief in natural simplicity is the lifestyle philosophy we craft in wood for our customers.

Sources:

Halle, Howard (June 26, 2023). “The ARTnews Guide to Minimalism”: ARTnews.

https://www.artnews.com/list/art-news/artists/what-is-minimalism-1234666038/abstract-expressionism-and-minimalism/

(March 2019). “Q&A March 2019: Keiji Ashizawa. 

https://www.karimoku-case.com/q_and_a/keiji-ashizawa/

Trickett, Hannah. “a chat with Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen / Norm Architects”: Hannah Trickett

https://www.hannahtrickett.com/a-chat-with-jonas-bjerre-poulsen-norm-architects/