IKI [Review]
Since the days when Tokyo was known as Edo, or even earlier, the Japanese have always pursued an ideal of aesthetics. The so-called Iki. I can’t claim to fully grasp the concept, but, roughly speaking, it’s about showing off refinement and wealth. Quite an easy feat, perhaps. Yet, the swagger must be done without crossing into outright bourgeois arrogance. From what I’ve read, it’s… a pretty nuanced philosophy.