Lifestyle with
Nature, Flow, & Purpose
Guiding you in Japanese concepts of personal growth and a balanced-life
New Arrivals
What is Shizen Style?
NATURE. NATURAL. SPONTANEOUS.
ShizenStyle is a guide to designing your own lifestyle of bringing nature, creativity, and flow into your modern life.
Photography, Japanese garden design, Shakuhachi bamboo flute playing, etc. can all be forms of self-expression.
I explore various Japanese aesthetics and concepts like Wabi-sabi, Ikigai, Yugen, and Shizen and how they help balance a natural lifestyle in our busy modern world.
Shizen (自然) is the Japanese aesthetic concept of “nature,” “naturalness” and the "spontaneous," There is a creative design and purpose behind Shizen. It is not raw nature, or wilderness, but...
A STYLE WITH ARTISTIC INTENT FLOWING WITH NATURE
How Ikigai (Life Purpose) & Flow Changes Our Lives
Heightened creativity
Harvard found subjects to have THREE DAYS of heightened creativity after the flow state. Carry the creativity afterglow into your personal life, garden design, artistic pursuits, photography etc.
Increases productivity
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McKinsey found a 500% increase in productivity by executives who regularly access flow states.
Increases creative problem solving
We are more open to 'Aha' experiences. Ikigai allows us to be open to new and overlooked pathways.
The University of Sydney found flow state subjects to have a 430% increase in creative problem solving!
Improves attention & concentration
Flow triggers like 'Rich Environments' and 'Awe' improve focus and attention.
Ikigai guides us in taking small steps with clarity.
Outdoor photography particularly benefits from Nature-related flow triggers.
ABOUT US
My name is Joshua Smith, PhD. and I am a photographer, shakuhachi player, and small business owner. My goal is to inspire others in their search for their own Shizen lifestyle - that's a modern life filled with creativity, flow, and nature.
I received my Master's and Doctoral degree in Cultural Sociology (Japanese Studies) from
Osaka University, in Japan.
Having lived, worked and studied in Japan for many years, this is the inspiration I draw upon for this melding of styles.
My studies in flow state science and Japanese aesthetics and concepts like Wabi-sabi & Ikigai, inform the way I help guide others in growing their photography, Japanese garden design, and overall wellbeing with a balanced lifestyle of nature and flow.
My wife Satomi is the head chef at our Japanese restaurants and has a deep understanding of nutrition and Japanese culinary traditions. My daughter Miana is also a budding photographer and part of the team. My son Kazu is currently finding his flow in playing the electric bass. My family and I split our time between Buffalo, NY and Japan.
What is the Flow State?
An optimal state of consciousness where you feel your best and perform your best. It’s those moments of undivided attention and total absorption, where your mind, body, and spirit are focused on the present. Action and awareness merge and you develop a calm awareness of your surroundings.
Flow is meditation in action
Let's Stay Connected
Subscribe to our newsletters and get some inspiration and tips about Japanese gardening, culture and aesthetics, as well as updates about upcoming courses & classes.
From my Gensetsu site you will also get information about photography, home decor, shakuhachi etc.
I make these images and pieces of art because I believe that everyone should feel what it's like to be alive in nature. Art is about communicating an emotion, and I hope you feel the emotion in my work.