When I began writing my series of stories based on the concepts of Japanese healing fiction, I discovered that there are many uniquely Japanese literary terms. The popularity of this form, of haiku, and even of K-drama, can help with all kinds of writing. Here are fifteen of the ones I’ve found, along with ways they can be used to generate emotional depth in your work. You don’t need to use the specific term—just understand how it can be used.
Aware
You can use the Japanese term aware (AH-WAH-RAY) to recognize that many of the objects in your work may have an emotional resonance, with feelings of sadness, patriotism, or happiness. Examples include a childhood home, seeing Olympians in the colors of the United States flag, the photo of a dead relative.
Hibiki
Hibiki (HE-BEE-KEY) means echo. When the gray sky echoes the emotional despair of the character. When the noise of contractors working outside reflects the anger in a conversation.
Jo-ha-kyū
This concept of modulation and movement suggests actions should begin slowly, speed up, and then end swiftly. Compare this to the traditional three- or four-act structure in genre fiction.
Kaori
(KAH-OH-REE) literally means scent or fragrance, but it has a deeper meaning in Japanese literature. For fiction writers, it can relate to the way we evoke the same feeling with very different images. Both a puppy lost in the rain and a newly divorced man might have kaori.
Karumi
(KAH-RUE-ME) means lightness, and the Japanese poet Basho used it to represent the beauty of ordinary things spoken of in a simple way. Sometimes we don’t need elaborate language or metaphors to convey feeling. An empty coffee mug left on the desk of a departed co-worker could be just a mug—or it could reflect something about the impermanence of friendship or business connections or the harshness of an economic recession.
Kidai
(KEY-DAY’EE) This is a Japanese way of using metonyms. “Hollywood” represents the motion picture industry, and the White House stands for presidential power.
Kigo
(KEY-GO)are nouns which imply the season because they have been traditionally associated with certain times of the year in Japanese literature and/or real life. Daffodils and jonquils are among the first flowers of spring. With their variegated petals of red and yellow, chrysanthemums represent autumn.
Komorebi
The literal meaning of this word is the dappled sunlight filtering through trees, but it can remind us to bring gentle beauty into our works.
Ma
Ma represents the importance of emptiness in a composition. Consider the pause between action and response, between two characters expressing emotion. Ma signifies a moment of contemplation or pause within a piece.
Mono no aware
The addition of “mono” (things/objects) transforms the concept into an awareness of the transient nature of all things and the gentle sadness that comes with this understanding. It’s not just about feeling touched or moved – it’s about recognizing the inherent impermanence in beauty and life itself. This concept can be useful when you have a reflective character considering his or her past.
Mono no aware is a Japanese idiom that conveys a deep awareness of the impermanence of things and the sadness that comes with it.
A classic example that illustrates the difference: When viewing cherry blossoms…
- Aware might be the simple emotional response to their beauty
- Mono no aware would be the bittersweet appreciation of their beauty precisely because they are fleeting, combined with the recognition that this very impermanence is what makes them so meaningful in Japanese culture
Mushin
(MOO-SHE’N) refers to a mental state of complete focus and clarity, free from distractions and emotional turmoil. In English, we might consider that “flow.” Consider how you can use this to show your character at work or at play.
Sabi
(SAH-BEE)-aged/loneliness. Use an image in your writing that expresses something aged or weathered with a hint of sadness because of being abandoned. A boarded up building in a city, or an old barn in the countryside.
Wabi
(WAH-BEE) means poverty, but in your writing it can be used to express something that is a result of living simply. Consider a well-lived in kitchen, a pair of frayed jeans, or a coffee table scarred by long use.
Wabi-sabi
Combining wabi and sabi brings us to the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. You can use this to express the feeling that a character has for an object that has been well-used or damaged in the past.
Yugen
A mysterious and profound beauty that cannot be fully expressed in words, often associated with a sense of deep emotion. Compare this to Hemingway’s idea that a story is like an iceberg; only part of it is visible above the surface. What lies beneath is yugen.
Neil Plakcy crafts engaging stories that celebrate love, identity, and found family across multiple genres. From the charming Golden Retriever mysteries to the gritty Mahu series featuring a gay Hawaiian detective, Plakcy’s work normalizes LGBTQ+ relationships through compelling narratives. His “Have Body, Will Guard” adventures blend romance with global intrigue, while the Angus Green FBI thrillers showcase a young gay agent’s unique perspective. Whether penning contemporary romances or Victorian-era tales, Plakcy’s straightforward, immersive style transports readers worldwide, from Miami to London. With over two decades of experience, Plakcy offers not just entertainment, but a window into diverse queer experiences, inviting readers to see the world through different eyes.
Image by Drobekpetr from Pixabay