The Sound of Silence
Growing up, I've always listened to music whenever I could. Especially when listening to music that matches a situation's mood completely enhances the experience. Something that's as simple as biking around the city becomes such an unforgettable memory as I listen to Rex Orange County's album, Who Cares?
Although this idea will surely remain a universal experience, there is another that seemingly holds more power and meaning while being so simple. It's nothing, or more specifically Ma(間).
A perfect example of Ma appears in the magical films from Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio directed by Hayao Miyazaki that holds a very special place in my heart. These films tend to follow a fantasy-like plot yet romanticize moments of everyday life at the same time. Along with their stunning visuals and meaningful plots, Studio Ghibli is greatly known for their soundtracks, written by Joe Hisaishi (the GOAT).
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| Spirited Away (2001) - My favorite movie |
Ma is a Japanese concept of "negative space", where a gap of intentional emptiness exists. This gap simply holds a home for possibilities and has been described as "the silence between the notes which make the music". You may ask, "how does sound come from silence?", and I'll tell you that it doesn't. Rather, it comes from the silence relative to everything happening around it, where the space between flowers in a garden is just as important as the flowers themselves.
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| My Neighbor Totoro (1988) |
If you've ever seen one of these films, you'll know the soundtracks playing in the background really bring out genuine emotions, but what about when there's no music at all -- when there's Ma? This very special form of art speaks in-between the action, highlighting a raw sense of life. And I don't mean plot points without music, but instead where pretty much nothing happens, giving a quiet and accepting space for contemplating.
In the midst of a hectic life, we often skim over the times when we're sitting in a quiet car on a road trip or watching the people walk by as you sit at the window of a restaurant. This concept serves as a reminder to notice those seemingly insignificant times in life, because laying back during a pause -- an emptiness -- allows you to really rest. A moment to take a breath, even if it's just for a moment, is what gives life its meaning.
I love how you connect music and the concept of Ma to everyday experiences—it's a beautiful reminder that both sound and silence can shape our memories. Your examples from Studio Ghibli really show how the quiet moments between action can be just as meaningful as the action itself.
ReplyDeleteI like how your piece doesn’t just describe Ma — it embraces it. You give the reader room to contemplate between ideas, just as Studio Ghibli gives viewers room to admire between moments. your blog is very well done.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you introduced the idea of Ma - having a term to connect silence to shows how the absence of sound doesn't necessarily make things empty and can actually hold space for reflection
ReplyDeleteWow Linton! The idea of highlighting the emptiness rather than the noise is really interesting. I really enjoyed how you tied it back to your own personal life and closed with a very powerful idea that is often missed
ReplyDeleteWoah this is so fire linton. I’m also a huge studio ghibli fan and I love how their music are so calm and heartwarming—makes you wanna just curl up in a blanket on a rainy day with cup of hot chocolate
ReplyDeletesuch a beautiful blog linton, both visually and in its message. my favorite thing about ghibli movies is also how much they emphasize quiet, peaceful moments-- so soothing.
ReplyDeletegift taxes are due soon linton
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite moments of Ghibli movies are when the soundtrack is playing. Take "A Town with an Ocean View" as an example. There was a sense of magic and curiosity the first time it was played in Kiki's Delivery Service. Yet, I do agree that moments of silence create a different feeling for the audience. What a wonderful blog Linton!
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