In Japanese aesthetics, ma represents the pause between notes, the space between objects, the silence that gives meaning to sound. This design system embraces emptiness as a form of expression.

Ma

Negative space. The pause. What is not there defines what is.

Wabi-Sabi

侘寂

Beauty in imperfection. The worn, the weathered, the asymmetric.

Kanso

簡素

Simplicity. Eliminate the unnecessary. Keep only what matters.

Section One

Typography

書体

Clean letterforms with generous spacing. Japanese and Western typefaces in harmonious balance.

Heading One

The sound of water

Heading Two

Silence between stones

Heading Three

Bamboo bends in wind

Heading Four

Morning mist rises

Heading Five
Ink touches paper
Heading Six
A single brushstroke
"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

Body text uses Noto Sans JP with light weight and generous line height. The goal is readability without distraction, allowing words to breathe on the page like ink settling on washi paper.

The Western companion typeface, Cormorant Garamond, brings classical elegance that harmonizes with Japanese aesthetics.

Section Two

Color Palette

色彩

Earth tones, stone grays, and the rich blacks of sumi ink. Muted colors that calm the mind.

Ink Tones - Sumi

墨黒 Ink Black #1A1A1A
濃墨 Ink Dark #2D2D2D
中墨 Ink Medium #4D4D4D
淡墨 Ink Light #7A7A7A
薄墨 Ink Wash #B8B8B8
霞墨 Ink Mist #D4D4D4

Stone and Earth - Ishi to Tsuchi

黒石 Stone Dark #3D3D3D
灰石 Stone Mid #5C5C5C
白石 Stone Light #8A8A8A
Earth #7A6B5A
陶土 Clay #9C8B7A
Sand #D4C8B8

Natural Tones - Shizen

Bamboo #8B9A6B
Moss #5D6B4A
Hinoki #D4BA98
Cedar #A08060

Paper and White - Washi

和紙 Rice Paper #F5F2EB
楮紙 Washi #EDE8DE
生成 Cream #F8F5EE
Warm White #FAFAF7

Accents - Shu to Ai

Vermillion #C73E3A
Indigo #3D4F7C
金箔 Gold Leaf #B8860B
緑青 Patina #6B8B7A
Section Three

Buttons

Understated controls that invite interaction without demanding attention.

Primary Actions

Secondary Actions

Ghost Buttons

Accent and Stone

Button States

Hover states are subtle transitions rather than dramatic changes, maintaining the calm aesthetic.

Section Four

Cards

Containers for content that float gently on the page, with subtle shadows suggesting depth without weight.

Standard Card

A simple container with clean borders and ample padding. Content breathes within the space provided.

Ink Header

The dark header draws from sumi-e ink gradients, creating a striking contrast with the light body.

Vermillion Accent

A subtle red border on the left marks this as important, like a hanko seal on a document.

Stone Texture

Gentle gradients suggest the weathered surface of garden stones, worn smooth by time.

Minimal Cards

Ichigo Ichie

One time, one meeting. Treasure each encounter.

Mono no Aware

The pathos of things. Awareness of impermanence.

Yugen

Profound grace. Mystery beyond what can be seen.

Section Five

Form Elements

入力

Input fields that invite focus through simplicity, with minimal borders that appear when needed.

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Checkboxes

Radio Buttons

Toggle Switches

Notifications enabled
Dark mode
Auto-save
Section Six

Tables

Data presented with clarity and restraint. Information organized like stones in a garden.

Element Japanese Meaning Value
Earth Chi Stability and foundation 1
Water Sui Adaptability and flow 2
Fire Ka Energy and passion 3
Wind Fu Growth and freedom 4
Void Ku Emptiness and spirit 5
Five Elements - Godai 15

Minimal Table

Season Flower Characteristic
Spring Cherry Blossom Transience
Summer Lotus Purity
Autumn Chrysanthemum Longevity
Winter Plum Perseverance
Section Seven

Alerts and Badges

通知

Notifications that inform without alarming. Status indicators as subtle as seasonal changes.

Alerts

A Moment of Reflection

Take time to consider this information. Like water finding its path, let understanding come naturally.

Harmony Achieved

Your changes have been saved successfully. The garden is in balance.

Attention Required

Please review the following items before proceeding. Mindfulness prevents mistakes.

Note

This content has been archived. Like autumn leaves, it remains beautiful in memory.

Notifications

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New message received
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System update
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Badges

Ink Stone Bamboo Vermillion Outline Subtle

Badges mark status with quiet confidence. They categorize and inform without drawing undue attention to themselves.