Ma: The Japanese Secret to Contemplation and Calm
Language: English
Published by Tuttle Publishing, US, 2025
- Hardcover
- New

Seller: Rarewaves USA United, HEBRON, KY, U.S.A.Rarewaves USA United
AbeBooks seller since June 20, 2025
Condition: New
£ 13.23
Quantity: 3 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
"Ma-the emptiness in which time, space and thoughts are suspended-is an invitation to awareness."The traditional Japanese concept of ma refers to a pause or a space, "the moment of no action, the stillness and silence that is filled with more powerful energy than the moments of action" on the classic Noh stage. It also refers to the pauses taken in between notes by a shakuhachi flute player or the spaces between stones in a Zen garden which reveal unexpected vistas and perspectives.The eighteen thought-provoking essays in this book present the work of talented writers and artists with vast experience in the fields of Japanese art, religion, music and philosophy. They show us how the experience of ma in the traditional Zen arts and practices can be used to create a greater awareness of our surroundings to vastly improve our lives in many other areas.Highlights include:"The Unspoken Space We Share" by Pico Iyer, who reflects on our word choice, the way we speak to each other and the pauses in our everyday conversations"Some Gravel Some Stones" by Steven Mansfield, who explores deliberate spaces in Japanese garden design and how these provide us with moments of calm"Photographic Ma" by Robert van Koesveld, who draws our attention to the mysterious communicative power of "spaces" in photographic compositions that draw us in on a subconscious level"Between Form and Emptiness," an interview with artist Miya Ando, whose work in metal, canvas and sculpture is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy and reflects the human experience of time, the seasons and ephemerality"Moments of Silence and Stillness" by Magda Rittenhouse, whose explorations of traditional Japanese design focus on the spaces between inside and outside, sacred and profane, the safe and the unfamiliarPlus thirteen other fascinating essaysIllustrated with 80 stunning photographs, this book will appeal not just to those with an interest in Japanese culture and philosophy, but to anyone seeking to escape the stresses and challenges of daily life and develop a more balanced, meditative approach to the world.…
Seller Inventory # LU-9784805319215
- Title
- Ma: The Japanese Secret to Contemplation and Calm
- Author
- Ken Rodgers, John Einarsen
- Publisher
- Tuttle Publishing, US
- Publication year
- 2025
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Hardback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 4805319216
- ISBN 13
- 9784805319215
- Item weight
- 397 grams
The traditional Japanese concept of ma refers to a pause or a space, "the moment of no action, the stillness and silence that is filled with more powerful energy than the moments of action" on the classic Noh stage. It also refers to the pauses taken in between notes by a shakuhachi flute player or the spaces between stones in a Zen garden which reveal unexpected vistas and perspectives.
The thought-provoking essays in this book are the work of sixteen talented writers and artists with vast experience in the fields of Japanese art, religion, music and philosophy. They show us how the experience of ma in the traditional Zen arts and practices can be used to create a greater awareness of our surroundings to vastly improve our lives in many other areas.
Highlights include:
- The Ma of Words by Pico Iyer, who reflects on our word choice, the way we speak to each other and the pauses in our everyday conversations
- Some Gravel Some Stones by Steven Mansfield, who explores deliberate spaces in Japanese garden design and how these provide us with moments of calm
- Photographic Ma by Robert van Koesveld, who draws our attention to the mysterious communicative power of "spaces" in photographic compositions that draw us in on a subconscious level
- Between Form and Emptiness, an interview with artist Miya Ando, whose work in metal, canvas and sculpture is deeply rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy and reflects the human experience of time, the seasons and ephemerality
- Moments of Silence and Stillness by Magda Rittenhouse, whose explorations of traditional Japanese design focus on the spaces between inside and outside, sacred and profane, the safe and the unfamiliar
- Plus eleven other fascinating essays!
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
John Einarsen is a photographer, designer, and founding editor of Kyoto Journal alongside Ken Rogers. His books of photographs include Kyoto: The Forest Within the Gate, Small Buildings of Kyoto, and This Very Moment (2023). From 2013–2015 he served as an advisor to the Japan Times and in 2013 received the Commissioner's Award of the Japanese Cultural Affairs Agency. He lives near Kyoto's Nanzenji temple.
Compiled essays, illustrations and photographs by talented writers and artists including: Alex Kerr; Gunter Nitschke; Pico Iyer; Steven Mansfield; Mark Hovane; Alexandre Avdulov; John McGee; Joshua Pearl; Edward A. Burger; Leanne Ogasawara; Nakajima Hiroyuki; Hikaru Hirata-Miyakawa; Magdalena Rittenhouse; Kit Nagamura; Alexander Bennett; Atticus Sims; Takafumi Kawakami; Robert van Koesveld; and Michael Dylan Welch.
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Rarewaves USA United
HEBRON, KY, U.S.A.
AbeBooks seller since June 20, 2025
Shipping rates within U.S.A.
| Item | 30 to 30 business days | 14 to 14 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 37.78 | £ 50.63 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
Rarewaves USA
10100 West Sample Road, Ste 101
Coral Springs, FL U.S.A. 33065
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Rarewaves USA United, Coral Springs, Florida, U.S.A., without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Please note that we do not offer Priority shipping to any country.
We currently do not ship to the below countries:
Afghanistan
Bhutan
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Channel Islands
Chile
Israel
Lao
Mexico
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Yemen
Please do not attempt to place orders with any of these countries as a ship to address - they will be cancelled.