INTO ASHES  灰に

Kyoto University of Art and Design
Wanovation: Designing with Wa Philosophy
2019


灰に is a project inspired by Mujō-Kan (a vision of transiency) within Wa Philosophy. Exploring the impermanence surrounding us and the beauty of the moment, it is a combination of polish tradition with zen philosophy to create a ritualistic experience around the action of starting a fire and its later observation. 




Mujō-Kan
無常観
A vision of transiency




無常観 is the transient gentle sadness at the passing of things through time, mixed with a deeper gentle sadness about this state being the reality of life. It is the awareness of the impermanence surrounding us and the beauty of the moment. A vision of transiency also known as ‘Mono no aware’ - a nostalgic thought that all things happen to exist, to change and become extinct.

灰に is a unique collection of fire starters stimulating reflection on the seven deadly sins and a latter liberation through the process of turning them into ashes.

The product mixes polish tradition with Japanese zen philosophy in order to create a ritualistic experience around the action of starting a fire and the nostalgic observation of wood turning into ash. Each firestarter represents one ubiquitous idea, a sin that needs to be let go off to reach a “reawakening”.


The representation of the sins almost goes unnoticed at first glance, however even with the subtle and minimalistic design, inner thoughts and feelings are awakened within this area for interpretation. With the ignition of each fire starter, we reflect on our nature as a human and undergo a process of regeneration. As we observe the natural decay of the symbolic sin, one turns into ashes what they believe once stained their being.