THE SHIZEN CIRCLE

A quiet gathering place for creatives drawn to the Japanese way of seeing and being—where slowness is a practice, imperfection is beautiful, and creativity becomes a way of living.

Together, we develop our own Shizen Style.

I'm Ready to Join

A Little About Me

My name is Josh Smith

I hold a PhD in Japanese cultural sociology from Osaka University and have spent much of my adult life between Japan and the US. I'm a fine art photographer working under the name GenSetsu, a shakuhachi teacher in the traditional bamboo flute lineage, a flow state coach, and the creator of Shizen Style—where I share what I've learned about Japanese aesthetics, intentional creative living, and the quiet arts of seeing.

I mention this not to impress, but so you know what you're walking into. The Shizen Circle isn't a casual interest of mine. It's where my training, practice, and decades of looking meet your own creative life.

About Me

Monthly
15$
Every month
Annual
150$
Every year
$150/year (2 months free)
Lifetime Member
1,500$
- $1,500

What you get when you join

A monthly theme drawn from Japanese aesthetics, seasonal living, Japanese culture, creativity and flow—with a creative challenge and critique (this is a growing video library)

Access to the private Shizen Circle community where you share work, give and receive feedback, and follow along with my own creative and photographic process

A members-only section inside the Shizen Style Weekly newsletter—a more personal look at what I'm making, reading, and thinking

Discounts on all ebooks and courses on Shizen Style

25% off fine art photography prints at Gen-Setsu.com

Ways to join

Monthly — $15/month Everything above plus 10% off ebooks and courses

Annual — $150/year (2 months free) Everything above plus 25% off ebooks and courses, early access to new releases, and seasonal perks each quarter

Lifetime Founding Member — $1,500 Everything annual members receive, for life. Plus a signed, limited-edition Gen-Setsu fine art print mailed to you, a drink on me when we meet up someday, and lifetime access locked in regardless of future price changes.

How it works

Each month revolves around a single theme drawn from Japanese aesthetics, seasonal living, or Japanese culture and philosophy, mixed with creativity and flow science. Not as something to study and set aside, but as a living lens to bring into your own creative work—whatever form that takes.

At the start of each month I share a short introduction to the theme and an open creative challenge. The challenge is intentionally broad—a photographer, a writer, a gardener, and a home decorator might all respond to the same prompt in completely different ways. That's the point. These are now recorded videos along with a written section that will go into the video content library for future reference and learning.

Throughout the month you share your work, responses, and reflections directly in the community. I often walk through member submissions, exploring what's resonating, and going deeper into the theme itself. Not a lecture. More like pulling up a chair and thinking out loud together. Your fellow peers can also comment and offer constructive opinions (don't worry, this is a very safe space to express yourself).

I also drop into the community regularly to share what I'm making, what I'm noticing, and to think alongside you—including, when I'm in Japan, behind-the-scenes glimpses of the aesthetics and culture that underpin everything we explore here.

Everything lives inside a private members' area—monthly themes, challenges, and an archive that quietly grows more valuable over time.

If you've got questions about my videos, my creative process, homework from

my books and courses you want feedback on, let's discuss.

A note on what this isn't

This isn't a course with a curriculum to complete or a platform demanding your daily attention. There are no live sessions you're expected to show up for. Think of it as a slow, ongoing creative practice—with a thoughtful framework each month, a community that moves at a human pace, and a quiet corner of the internet that reflects the values you're already drawn to.