Not my shibusa (Japan Competition Poster)

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When I designed a poster on Japanese aesthetics, I asked myself what Japan is like today and what it might be like in the future. Although it was a challenging task, I have been drawn to Japanese culture for years and have surrounded myself with Japanese influences. During this time, I have learned about various teas and the tea ceremony, as well as delving into Japanese poetry through books. Of course, Japan today is just as interesting. However, I always looked at it from a different perspective - that of a project.

What did I see in it? Elements of aesthetics that were highlighted in college classes and books, including those that are not immediately obvious, such as the lack of symmetry and negative space. I saw something that moves differently than the usual pop culture that is served to us today and dressed up in the clothes of the Japanese imagination. Today, I have a different perspective, and I am immensely proud of the thoughtfulness and composure in this illustration.

The poster was created for the Inspired by Japan competition, which required a digital work related to Japan, including aspects of Japanese culture, traditions, history, and art.

Although I did not win,

I submitted an asymmetrical illustration depicting a mirror (Yata no Kagami (Japanese 八咫镜)). This piece aims to reflect our understanding of Japanese aesthetics, encompassing not only modern Japanese culture but also traditional elements such as board games, karate, zen gardens, tea ceremonies, and the red sun associated with the flag.

The composition is both balanced and asymmetrical, showcasing popular elements of Japanese aesthetics.

I included negative space, which refers to the use of empty space in the composition. Additionally, I incorporated cultural elements such as alcoholism and geishas, who have been misrepresented as prostitutes in Western culture. These topics may be challenging to comprehend from a Western perspective.

In the end, I kept the red sun in my composition as a separate element from the way the Western gaze creates stereotypes through the mirror. The sun represents Japan and remains true to itself.