Word
shibui
/ʃiˈbui/
Definition
adj. describing something that has a simple, quiet, and natural beauty. It is used for things that are high quality but not flashy or loud.
adj. referring to a Japanese aesthetic of simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty. Often describes objects or experiences that possess a refined restraint and a balance between simplicity and complexity.
Examples
“The room has a shibui elegance with its plain wooden furniture.”
“Architects often praise the building for its shibui design, noting how the raw concrete and natural light create a sense of calm.”
“The potter aimed for a shibui finish, ensuring the glaze was matte and the colors muted to allow the natural texture of the clay to remain the focal point.”
Examples
simple
“The room has a shibui elegance with its plain wooden furniture.”
contextual
“Architects often praise the building for its shibui design, noting how the raw concrete and natural light create a sense of calm.”
complex
“The potter aimed for a shibui finish, ensuring the glaze was matte and the colors muted to allow the natural texture of the clay to remain the focal point.”
Usage
Primarily used in the context of Japanese art, design, and philosophy; often follows a linking verb or modifies nouns related to aesthetics.
Real-World Examples
“Shibui objects appear to be simple overall, but they include subtle details, such as textures, that balance simplicity with complexity.” “In a world obsessed with trends, luxury, and loud statements, there’s something deeply refreshing about Shibui (渋い).” “This was because it gave me a new vocabulary to express myself and explore my own voice. It’s called shibusa (shibui in the adjective form), and by the end of this article you may just find that you’ve been drawn to it yourself for years without realizing it.” “But shibusa (the adjective is shibui), an untranslatable part of the Japanese mystique, gives Japanese designers an edge over their U.S., Italian and Scandinavian colleagues.” Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese, where it originally described a puckery or astringent taste, such as that of an unripe persimmon. By the Edo period, the meaning expanded to describe a sophisticated, understated aesthetic that avoids gaudiness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/shibui