The shibui aesthetics of the tearoom are reflected in the natural and
tactile materiality. Sabi is present in the approach to the materials. Plaster
walls are left unfinished and are allowed to weather, exposing the straw and
the damage from the floods. The tokonoma window is created by not filling in
a rectangular shape in the wall and exposing the continuous lath within. The
post in the centre is intentionally left unfinished exposing insect damage:
Conspicuous and unnatural form may direct attention to itself
rather than to inner truth. The same column may convey the notion
of something imperfect that engages the imagination to complete
it. The experiencing of the beauty is not passive beholding but
active undertaking.