The Ruler of Beauty: Oda Nobunaga and the Politics of Aesthetic Sense
The Ruler of Beauty: Oda Nobunaga and the Politics of Aesthetic Sense
"Tenka Fubu" (Unify the world through military force). These words do not only convey unification through military force. Oda Nobunaga aimed for a new world where order and beauty coexisted. He brought the quiet power of beauty to the wilderness of the Warring States period. The aesthetic sense present in the tea ceremony, the spatial presentation of castles, and the progressiveness exuded in exotic costumes - Nobunaga's aesthetic sense was not simply a hobby, but a way of thinking that moved the times.
Tea Ceremony and Power: Control Hidden in Silence
Nobunaga appointed Sen no Rikyu as his tea master, elevating the tea ceremony into a political arena. A cup of tea shared in the limited space of the tea room was a symbol of rule through beauty, not military force. He was particular about the selection of tea utensils, collecting masterpieces known as meibutsu. These utensils possessed not only an aesthetic sense but also the power to present them. Tea ceremonies were a stage on which Nobunaga's authority was quietly but surely impress upon the public.
Azuchi Castle - The space itself speaks of ideas
Azuchi Castle is the building that most eloquently expresses Nobunaga's aesthetic sense. The splendor of the main tower, the decorative murals, and the design of the gardens—these were not simply defensive facilities, but symbols of cultural authority. By "showing" the castle, Nobunaga visualized his rule and allowed visitors to experience the fusion of order and beauty. The space itself spoke volumes about his philosophy.
Costumes and Different Cultures - Modernity in Beauty
It is said that Nobunaga had a penchant for Nanban (Southern Barbarian) tastes and wore flashy clothing. This was not only an aesthetic preference, but also a manifestation of his openness to different cultures and his progressiveness. His clothing was part of his self-presentation and a visual message. By dressing himself in beauty, Nobunaga portrayed himself as a "symbol of a new era."
Is aesthetic sense a strategy or a belief?
Why was Nobunaga, known as a rationalist, so devoted to beauty? It was because he understood that beauty had the power to establish order. Tea ceremony, architecture, and costumes were all part of his strategy, and at the same time, his respect for beauty was almost religious. Beauty had the power to move people's hearts in a way that military force could not.
Modern application: Nobunaga's aesthetics in branding
Nobunaga's aesthetic sense is also reflected in modern brand philosophy. "The power of presentation," "spatial direction," and "fusion with different cultures" - these overlap with the creation of universal beauty that WABISUKE aims for. Beauty is not just something to display, it is something to communicate. Just as Nobunaga did, we too can communicate ideas and create resonance through beauty.