Editing Minimalism (section)

=== Influences from Japanese tradition ===
{{See also|Japanese architecture}}
[[File:RyoanJi-Dry garden.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|[[Ryōan-ji|{{transliteration|ja|Ryōan-ji}}]] dry garden. The clay wall, which is stained by age with subtle brown and orange tones, reflects "{{transliteration|ja|wabi}}" and the rock garden "{{transliteration|ja|sabi}}", together reflecting the Japanese worldview or aesthetic of "[[wabi-sabi|{{transliteration|ja|wabi-sabi}}]]".<ref>{{lang|ja|森神逍遥 『侘び然び幽玄のこころ』桜の花出版、2015年}} Morigami Shouyo, "{{transliteration|ja|Wabi sabi yugen no kokoro: seiyo tetsugaku o koeru joi ishiki}}" (Japanese) {{ISBN|978-4434201424}}</ref>]]

The idea of simplicity appears in many cultures, especially the Japanese traditional culture of [[Zen Buddhist]] philosophy. Japanese manipulate the Zen culture into aesthetic and design elements for their buildings.{{sfn|Saito|2007|pp=85–97}} This idea of architecture has influenced Western society, especially in America since the mid 18th century.{{sfn|Lancaster|1953|pp=217–224}} Moreover, it inspired the minimalist architecture in the 19th century.<ref name="Pawson" />

Zen concepts of simplicity transmit the ideas of freedom and essence of living.<ref name="Pawson"/> Simplicity is not only aesthetic value, it has a moral perception that looks into the nature of truth and reveals the inner qualities and essence of materials and objects.{{sfn|Saito|2007|p=87}} For example, the [[sand garden]] in [[Ryōan-ji|{{transliteration|ja|Ryōan-ji}}]] temple demonstrates the concepts of simplicity and the essentiality from the considered setting of a few stones and a huge empty space.{{sfn|Pawson|1996|p=98}}

The Japanese aesthetic principle of [[Ma (negative space)|{{transliteration|ja|Ma}}]] refers to empty or open space. It removes all the unnecessary internal walls and opens up the space. The emptiness of spatial arrangement reduces everything down to the most essential quality.{{sfn|Bertoni|2002|p=23}}

The Japanese aesthetic of [[wabi-sabi|{{transliteration|ja|wabi-sabi}}]] values the quality of simple and plain objects.{{sfn|Saito|2007|p=85}} It appreciates the absence of unnecessary features, treasures a life in quietness, and aims to reveal the innate character of materials.{{sfn|Pawson|1996|pp=10–11}} For example, the Japanese floral art of [[Ikebana|{{transliteration|ja|ikebana}}]] has the central principle of letting the flower express itself. People cut off the branches, leaves, and blossoms from the plants and only retain the essential part of the plant. This conveys the idea of essential quality and innate character in nature.{{sfn|Saito|2007|p=86}}