Iki, is an aesthetic Japanese concept thought to have originated amongst low-class but highly-wealthy merchant classes of Edo in the Edo period. Sometimes misunderstood in the West as simply anything resembling a stereotype or archetype of Japanese culture, iki refers to a distinct aesthetic ideal representing a subtle display of wealth and taste, belying on first glance the efforts, monetary or otherwise, taken to achieve it. Iki came to prominence within the context of the official social hierarchy of Edo-period Japan, subverting class through an expression of material wealth that formed an aesthetic language specifically aimed at one's peers - typically those within the merchant classes.
History
During the Edo period, a number of edicts were passed by the ruling samurai classes restricting expressions of material wealth by those officially lower in the social hierarchy as a way of preserving the status of the upper classes; this included edicts of dress preventing the lower classes from visibly appearing to be above their social class. Though dress edicts had little impact on much of the working classes, who had little access to wealth allowing them to purchase new and expensive silk kimono, the merchant classes - socially impoverished but monetarily powerful - were directly hit by these laws, as changes had, over time, led them to control much of Japan's economy. This led to the development of iki as an expression of the now-underground nature of the merchant classes' wealth; to obey the law was too safe, and to blatantly flout it too dangerous, leading to the rise of iki as both a visual dogwhistle and a neo-hierarchy within a specific societal peer group.
By too flagrant a display of his affluence, a townsman ran the risk of having his wealth confiscated. A merchant's home therefore was likely to have had an unassuming exterior, yet to have been full of treasures. He might have worn a sober, plain wool kimono — with an exquisite silk lining. Opulence was channeled into subtle details.
In this way, both the samurai and lower working classes were considered devoid of iki, with the former having to display wealth with no subtlety as a form of social dominance, and the latter having no access to any kind of opulence, and no choice to appear as anything but impoverished. Despite this, individual warriors considered to be upper class came to be depicted commonly as embodying iki, typically through ideals of a clear, stylish manner and blunt, unwavering directness, regardless of circumstance, heartbreak or individual feeling; stories of rogue warriors choosing duty over often pained and tormented personal feelings became popular stories in kabuki a form of theatre popular within the merchant classes. Geisha also came to be seen as iki, not just for their contrasting and subdued appearance in the face of flashier courtesans, but for their reputation as unwaveringly loyal; a popular name for the pleasure quarters, the karyūkai, described courtesans - the beautiful but fleeting flowers - and geisha - the resilient willow, often bending in fierce weather but never snapping - as contrasting elements, with geisha embodying loyalty to their patrons. This concept came to embody geisha so entirely that rival political factions often patronised entirely different geisha quarters, with the geisha of each staying loyal to their customers. Geisha, alongside rogue warriors, also became the common subject of many kabuki plays revolving around duty versus one's own feelings. The term iki became widespread in modern intellectual circles through the book The Structure of Iki by Kuki Shūzō.
Interpretation
The term "iki" is commonly used in both conversation and writing, having had a lasting effect on the development and continuation of Japanese aesthetics in the modern day, despite not necessarily being considered exclusive of other categories of Japanese aesthetic concepts and ideals, such as wabi-sabi. Iki is considered to be an expression of carefully-calculated simplicity, the ideal being that a mundane appearance would be considered iki in the context of the viewer's understanding of the effort undertaken to achieve the result. Iki also encompasses ideals of spontaneity and originality, with it being considered stylish to appear spontaneous and carefree, even if the efforts undertaken to appear as such happen to be considerably involved; a lack of self-consciousness, and being considered naturally, casually chic are core concepts of being considered iki. Though the nature of iki may be considered the antithesis of other Japanese aesthetics such as kawaii, at times, iki may exhibit traits of other aesthetics in a direct and unabashed manner. Iki is not used to describe natural phenomena, but may be expressed in an appreciation of natural beauty, or of nature of human beings. The writings of author Murakami Haruki are considered to be iki through their clear and unflinching writing style. In contrast, author Kawabata Yasunari is considered, through his more poetic style focusing on the interior "complex" of his characters, to be more closely aligned with the aesthetic ideal of wabi-sabi, displaying that the concept of iki is strongly tied to stylistic tendencies.
''Tsū''
The indefinite ideal of tsū can be said to reference a highly cultivated but not necessarily solemn sensibility. The iki/tsu sensibility resists being construed within the context of overly specific rules about what could be considered as vulgar or uncouth. Iki and tsu are considered synonymous in some situations, but tsu exclusively refers to persons, while iki can also refer to situations/objects. In both ideals, the property of refinement is not academic in nature. Tsu sometimes involves excessive obsession and cultural pedantry, and in this case, it differs from iki, which will not be obsessive. Tsu is used, for example, for knowing how to properly appreciate Japanese cuisines. Tsu can be transferred from person to person in form of "tips." As tsu is more focused in knowledge, it may be considered superficial from ikipoint of view, since iki cannot be easily attained by learning.
''Yabo''
Yabo is the antonym of iki. Busui, literally "non-iki," is synonymous to yabo.
''Sui''
In the Kamigata or Kansai area, the ideal of sui is prevalent. Sui is also represented by the kanji "粋". The sense of sui is similar to iki but not identical, reflecting various regional differences. The contexts of their usages are also different.
