Japan (II): White

For me, white has both a physical and mental association with Japan. Its meaning goes beyond the u – its appearance. This is also Kenya Hara’s* point of view on which the Japanese graphic designer focuses on his book.

When I was in Japan I remembered very well Kenya Hara’s words. But more than this, I felt the meaning of white (a part of it, of course). I can say I perceived the white values with all my senses, especially by seeing, hearing, and touching.

Seeing

To speak about white in terms of images/views is to use words like: clean, clear, discreet, transparency. There is no exaggeration to say Japan = the cleanest country, I think, like no other places. I have some arguments based on few examples. At first, the street image – a common place for many (in terms of millions): citizens and tourists – so clean that you have the impression that it was cleaned up just before you have passed through. No thrown packages, no food rests, no cigarette, no pet shit, etc. Nothing. No garbage. So that there are not urban trashes. It’s amazing. As a consequence, you are not invited to drink and eat in the street (only in dedicated places). Also, in many central places (on large areas), smoking is forbidden in the street. You can see small public places where you can go and smoke. And this feeling of cleanness spreads on various very populated public places: airports, metro and bus stations, big shops, etc. These are in terms of cleaning.

In terms of clean walls, I didn’t see graffiti anywhere, no in metro station, or somewhere in Shibuya, for example, a district where teens are a dominant presence.   

Hearing

Speaking about white in terms of sounds is to use words like: noiseless, whisper. For an European – with a Latin root, it’s hard to imagine how to keep your mouth shot in public places i.e. elevator, a metro, etc. But in Japan is normal. In an elevator with about 20 people inside you can’t hear one word speak loud, only (if) few whispers. Instead of noise, Japanese offer you (inside, of course) music – jazz or classic – put it at the minimum volume.

Touching

Speaking about white in terms of touching is to use words like: smooth, neat, finish. I understand that Japanese people like to finish their work, to complete them.

It is so obvious that white is the proper colour for Japan and Japanese: they like white more than other colour, they wear white (see a common image of the workers wearing white shirts) or very pale colours.

*Kenya Hara, White, Lars Muller Publishers, 2010

Kenya Hara is a graphic designer, the art director of Muji.