Darkness is a complex concept that holds various meanings in Japanese culture. In the Japanese language, there are several words that convey different aspects and interpretations of darkness.
Yami
The most common Japanese word for darkness is “yami” (闇). This word refers to physical or literal darkness – the absence of light. Yami describes dark places, the dark of the night, shadows, and things that are difficult to see due to lack of light. It’s used in words and phrases like:
- Kurayami (暗闇) – pitch darkness, complete darkness
- Yami no naka (闇の中) – in the darkness
- Yami ni tozasareta (闇に閉ざされた) – closed off in darkness
So in literal terms, yami refers to not being able to see or dark environments due to lack of illumination.
An
Another Japanese word for darkness is “an” (暗). While yami focuses on the physical aspect, an has more metaphorical meanings.
An can refer to:
- Gloominess and dimness
- Depression and sorrow
- Secrecy and confidentiality
- Evil and immorality
Some examples of an being used in this metaphorical sense include:
- An’i (暗い) – gloomy, sinister, shady
- Kokoro ga anjiru (心が暗じる) – to be discouraged/depressed
- Ibitsuna anji (いびつな暗時) – time of distress
- An’naiyō (暗訳) – confidential memorandum
So while yami refers to physical darkness, an can refer to darker concepts like unhappiness, secrecy, uncertainty, and moral corruption.
Influence from Onmyodo
Some of the metaphorical meanings of darkness in Japanese stem from cultural influences like onmyodo – traditional Japanese esoteric cosmology. In onmyodo, darkness or blackness is associated with the magical side of yin which represents negativity, passiveness, and femininity.
This is why darkness or blackness can have connotations of secrecy, evil, depression, mystery, and the supernatural in Japanese language and culture. Onmyodo contributes to darkness symbolizing things that are hidden, unknown, dangerous, or sorrowful.
Influence from Buddhism
Japanese Buddhism has also shaped the meaning of darkness in Japan. In Buddhism, darkness is tied to fundamental human desires, attachments, and ignorance. These are believed to cloud the mind, leading to suffering and being lost metaphorical darkness.
Escaping desire and ignorance to achieve enlightenment allows one to emerge from darkness into light. This metaphor of darkness as a place of confusion, desire, and unawareness permeates Japanese culture thanks to Buddhism’s prominence in Japan.
Kurayami
“Kurayami” (暗闇) is another Japanese word related to darkness. It combines the kanji for “dark” (暗) and “darkness” (闇) to emphasize deep, pitch black darkness.
Kurayami evokes a sense of being lost in an abyss of blackness with no visibility or light. It conveys intense darkness and blindness. Some examples of kurayami usage include:
- Kurayami ni ochiru (暗闇に落ちる) – to fall into darkness
- Kurayami wo tore (暗闇を透れ) – pierce/break through the darkness
- Kurayami no naka de (暗闇の中で) – in the midst of darkness
Kurayami adds a sense of danger and despair that comes with complete darkness and blindness. It emphasizes being engulfed in blackness.
Influence from Literature
Many famous works of Japanese literature have used darkness to represent loneliness, suffering, confusion, and turmoil. These have shaped how darkness and blackness are perceived in the culture.
For example, Natsume Soseki’s novel “Kokoro” has darkness portray the anguish of isolation and forbidden love. In Ogai Mori’s “Vita Sexualis” darkness represents living in secrecy and shame. The “dark night of the soul” is a recurring metaphor across Japanese literature, referring to a phase of despair, meaninglessness, and disconnection from self and others.
This literary treatment of darkness as melancholy, angst, emptiness, and solitude has influenced the Japanese psyche and how darkness is interpreted metaphorically.
Yin-Yang Symbolism
In Japanese cosmology derived from Chinese philosophy, yin and yang represent darkness and light. Yin is associated with dark, cold, slow, soft, passive qualities while yang represents light, warmth, activity, hardness, and aggression.
While western cultures treat dark and light dualistically with light superior, in yin-yang they are complementary opposites both vital to a whole. However, yin energy is seen as more mysterious, subtle, and introverted compared to bright extroverted yang.
This symbolism of darkness and light as interconnected halves resonates through Japanese culture. Darkness balances light, completing a circle. Neither is inherently good or bad, just opposite poles.
Conclusion
In summary, darkness has a complex significance in Japanese language and culture with both literal and metaphorical meanings. Key takeaways include:
- Yami refers specifically to physical darkness and lack of light.
- An represents abstract notions like gloom, angst, secrecy associated with darkness.
- Influences like Buddhism and onmyodo tie darkness to human suffering and the mystical unseen.
- Literary works use darkness to symbolize melancholy, isolation, shame.
- Yin-yang philosophy views darkness and light as complementary halves of a whole.
While darkness often has negative connotations in western society, Japan’s perspective is more nuanced, recognizing darkness as an essential part of the human experience and the natural world. Both light and shadow play roles in the Japanese cultural mindset.
