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Shizen Style Culture Blog
The Shizen Style Blog has foundations in Japanese aesthetics and culture, with topics surrounding Japanese gardens, photography, flow state and creativity, Ikigai (life purpose), as well as product reviews that help us figure out what's worth our time, attention, and money.
The 10 Best Autumn Leaf-viewing Spots in Fukui
Part of the ShizenStyle is appreciating the beauty of Fall and all of the scenic changes it brings with it. Large windows with views of...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 14, 20193 min read
661 views
The Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Fukui, Japan
Like many areas around Japan, come end of March and April an eruption of vibrant pinks and whites takes place in Fukui. This is a great...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 14, 20194 min read
97 views
Forest Bathing (ShinRin-Yoku) For Your Modern Lifestyle
Shinrin yoku (森林浴) is just starting to become recognized outside of Japan but they have been studying and developing this concept since...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 14, 20196 min read
39 views
What is a Modern Rustic Garden?
modern rustic Japanese garden I have found that by adding modern and rustic elements into the garden we can balance a natural lifestyle...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 14, 20196 min read
158 views
What are the Pros and Cons of a Modern Black House?
The family and I have always loved the modern rustic style and we are getting ready to make the move to a more rural area. While...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 14, 20196 min read
590 views
The Complete Guide to Yakisugi (Shou Sugi Ban)
Yakisugi Farm house repurposed Cafe in Japan While living in Japan I became intrigued with these black houses and buildings that I began...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 13, 201910 min read
9,894 views
What are the best modern rustic exterior options?
We’ve decided to move to a more rural area just outside of the city but would like to maintain some type of contemporary feel to the...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 13, 20194 min read
8 views
What Flowers are Used in a Japanese Garden?
This is a very common question I get asked when talking about or designing a Japanese garden, but not one that is easily answered....
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Mar 3, 20195 min read
1,596 views
What Type of Roof is Best for Wooded Areas?
We recently moved to a heavily wooded area and our house is basically in the forest with many pine and maple trees all around. As we...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 27, 20196 min read
918 views
Designing Your Wabi-Sabi Home and Garden
Wabi-sabi is a part of Japanese Aesthetics and philosophy that focuses on the appreciation of imperfection and impermanence. Although...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 17, 201913 min read
359 views
Japanese Garden Design: A Helpful Illustrated Guide
As human beings we all have the desire to bring nature into our busy lives. The Japanese garden serves as a space that allows us to...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 13, 201915 min read
1,021 views
The Impressive Japanese Gardens of Nijo Castle
Nijo Castle is home to a few impressive Japanese gardens; the Ninomaru Garden, the Honmaru Garden, and Seiryu-en Garden. I have visited...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 12, 20194 min read
30 views
What is the main purpose of Japanese gardens?
The main purpose of a Japanese garden is to bring harmony between our busy daily lives and nature. It is a space that celebrates the...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 11, 20195 min read
276 views
A Unique Japanese Garden in Yoshino: Chikurin-in, Gunpoen
The Yoshino area of Nara is famous for its beautiful mountains of cherry blossom trees. Contrary to popular belief, although a symbol of...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 10, 20194 min read
87 views
Japanese Garden in Shitennoji Temple – Gokuraku-Jodo Garden
I encourage everyone to take the time to visit this hidden away Japanese garden in the center of Osaka City. It really is a quiet...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 8, 20193 min read
91 views
Residential Japanese Gardens: Ideas From Japan
Having spent many years in Japan I have begun to understand some important landscape design principles for designing a residential...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 7, 201911 min read
1,369 views
Japanese Rock Garden: Fudaraku Garden in Osaka
One of Japan’s oldest temple’s in Osaka houses a unique Japanese rock garden, or karesansui, in Shitennoji. The “Fudaraku Garden” in...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 6, 20193 min read
91 views
Daisen Park – Osaka’s Hidden Japanese Strolling Garden
Daisen Park Japanese Garden (大仙公園 日本庭園) is located in Southern Osaka in the city of Sakai. This not-so-well-known beautiful Japanese...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Feb 5, 20195 min read
79 views
What is Kachou Fuugetsu?Discovering Yourself in Nature
Kachou Fuugetsu is a concept that I began to explore after having done a few pilgrimages when I lived in Japan. When I was a doctoral...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Jan 31, 20196 min read
3,298 views
The Complete Guide to Small Japanese Gardens
Whether you are designing your own garden or looking for ways to better appreciate a garden, this complete guide to small Japanese...
Joshua "Gensetsu" Smith, PhD
Jan 30, 20199 min read
1,625 views
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