Cultural threads run deep in design — but when does influence cross the line? In recent years, Japanese aesthetics have been widely adopted in Western interiors. This piece explores the fine balance between cultural appreciation and appropriation in the furnishing world.
Appropriation of Culture or Celebration of Aesthetic?
Japanese design has long held a magnetic pull in the world of interiors. Clean minimalism, organic materials, and quiet balance have made their way into global homes, often without context. As Western brands embrace shoji screens, tatami mats, and wabi-sabi textures, the line between appreciation and appropriation grows thin.
Is it admiration, or is it extraction?
True homage to Japanese design means more than borrowing its visual language — it’s about respecting the cultural philosophies that shape it.
Ideas like ma (negative space) or shibui (understated beauty) are not just trends; they are ways of seeing and living. Stripped from their roots, they risk becoming hollow aesthetics.
In our approach to furnishing, we seek to honor rather than mimic. That means collaborating with Japanese artisans, sourcing ethically, and understanding the history behind every curve and weave. The goal isn’t to replicate Japan’s style, but to let it inform us — gently, respectfully — as we create something new.
Design should always ask: Where did this come from? And more importantly: Who does it belong to?
