Perception of Space: Exploring Japanese Emptiness and Western Minimalism through Isamu Kurita’s Discourse

This article delves into the understanding of spatial consciousness in Japanese and Western cultures, particularly exploring the contrasting perceptions of emptiness and minimalism.Drawing from historical, cultural, and architectural paradigms, this research examines the roots of the concept of “emptiness” in Japanese culture, emphasizing its unique subjective perspective that intertwines architecture with the natural environment. Through a comparative study involving Japanese and international students, this investigation uncovers substantial disparities in spatial consciousness, shedding light on the divergent interpretations of emptiness and minimalism. The survey results vividly highlight the distinct cultural perspectives, with Japanese students associating emptiness with brightness and perceiving spaces as“ ma” or“ inbetween,” in contrast to international students associating emptiness with darkness and often interpreting minimalism through a lens of architectural structure and brightness. The study underscores the profound influence of cultural backgrounds on the interpretation of design elements and spatial perception, offering valuable insights for architects, designers, and scholars in creating designs that resonate across diverse cultural boundaries.