Yugen: What Cannot Be Clearly Seen Endures

A space deliberately made difficult to see clearly. The illumination is extremely low, with most areas submerged in deep shadow, and only a faint light falling from above illuminates a small area. The deep walls, ceiling, and corners are completely invisible, making it impossible to determine the size and shape of the space. Only the edges of an object are outlined by light, its details hidden in the darkness. Only the general shades of ink are visible on a hanging scroll. Because it is unclear, the viewer must approach, linger, and complete it themselves, rather than seeing everything at a glance. There is a hint of smoke or dust in the air, making the path of the light vaguely visible. Materials are earthen walls and dark wood. Avoid: illuminating the space to make everything clear, eliminating deep darkness, using uniform ambient lighting, making object details fully visible.

Translated from Chinese by AI.

一個刻意讓人看不清的空間。照度極低,大部分區域沉在深深的陰影中,只有一道從高處落下的微光照亮一小塊區域。深處的牆面、天花與角落完全看不見邊界,空間的大小與形狀無法判斷。一件器物只有邊緣被光勾出輪廓,細節隱沒在暗中;一幅掛軸只看得見大致的墨色濃淡。因為看不清楚,觀看的人必須靠近、必須停留、必須自己補完,而不是一眼看盡。空氣中有一點煙或塵,讓那道光的路徑隱約可見。材料是土壁與深色的木。避免:把空間照亮讓一切清晰、消除深處的黑暗、使用均勻的環境照明、讓物件的細節完全可見。