Arts & Culture
The Use of Negative Space in Japanese Notan Design
Quick fact
In Japanese, 'notan' literally means 'dark-light' and has been used for centuries to describe the harmony of contrasting values in painting, printmaking, and even garden design.
Why this is interesting
Ever looked at a Japanese woodblock print and felt an uncanny sense of balance? The secret isn't just in the shapes you see—it's in the empty spaces that carry equal weight.