The Structure of Iki

The Structure of Iki

The Japanese edition
Author Shūzō Kuki
Country Japan
Language Japanese
Genre Non-fiction
Published 1930
Media type Print

The Structure of Iki (「いき」の構造 Iki no kōzō) is a 1930 book about the aesthetics of Japanese taste by Shūzō Kuki.[1]

Summary

Kuki argues that the Edo ideal of iki or "chic" has a threefold structure representing the fusion of the "amorousness" (bitai) of the Geisha, the "valor" (ikuji) of the samurai, and the "resignation" (akirame) of the Buddhist priest.[2]

Scholarly reception

The work for which Kuki is best known,[3] The Structure of Iki is often regarded as the most creative work in modern Japanese aesthetics.[4]

Graham Parkes has praised the work for its subtlety.[5]

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Parkes 2005. p. 458.
  2. ↑ Odin 1999. pp. 449-450.
  3. ↑ Parkes 2005. p. 458.
  4. ↑ Odin 1999. pp. 449-450.
  5. ↑ Parkes 2005. p. 458.

Bibliography

Books
  • Odin, Steve (1999). Audi, Robert, ed. The Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-63722-8.
  • Parkes, Graham (2005). Honderich, Ted, ed. The Oxford Companion to Philosophy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-926479-1.