Japanese Beliefs
In Japanese tradition, the five elements play an important role in the culture of the country. This conceptual framework is commonly known as 五大 (ごだい), orgodai (literally “five greats”),, and is often found in the influences of many Japanese therapeutic modalities and spiritual systems. The elements of godai are as follows:
空 Void (ku)
Represents the sky, and anything that is beyond our everyday experience. Predominantly this element is associated with spirituality, creativity and inventiveness, often connecting to a creative source, and represents humans’ ability to think and communicate. Ku is seen as being the highest and most important of elements, as to be able to invoke the power of the void is to be able to connect to the quintessential creative energy of our world. This element is often linked to warriors, as their ability to be properly attuned to the void allows them to sense their surroundings and act without thinking and without the use of their physical senses.
風 Wind/air (fu)
Represents benevolence, compassion and the ability to enjoy freedom of movement. Predominantly this element is best presented by our human mind, and is associated with wisdom, freedom, growth and movement. As humans grow physically, mentally they are evolving as well in terms of knowledge, experiences and personality, and fu can often represent the ability to remain open-minded and carefree in life.
火 Fire (ka)
Represents power, passion, motivation and the moving things in the world. Predominantly this element is associated with the ability to transform something. Physically, ka is represented by our metabolism and body heat. Mentally and emotionally, it is represented by our drive and passion.
水 Water (sui)
Represents fluidity, flexibility, flowing and the formless things in the world. Plants are often categorised under sui as they are seen to be able to best adapt and grow according to their environment. Predominantly this element is associated with emotions, adaptability and magnetism, and the ability to hold things together.
地 Earth (chi)
Represents our earth, the ground, and the hard, solid objects of the world, and the most basic example of this element is stone.
A stone is highly resistant to movement or change and is heavily influenced by chi. In the human body, the bones, muscles and tissues are represented by chi and predominantly this element is associated emotionally with resistance to stubbornness, stability and physicality.
Derived from Indian vastu shastra philosophy and Buddhist beliefs, godai is similar to the Chinese theory of wu xing, though they are different in their symbolism. Godai represents our human existence and each of the five elements symbolises the perfection of any single aspect in the universe in itself, while no one element is able to exist without the other. These elements are ultimately able to interpenetrate freely without any hinderance either in matter or mind, forming the body of life.
The philosophy does not just place emphasis on how the five elements is essential in the structure of physical reality, but it also focuses on how it has the power to influence an individual’s personality and the structure of the universe. Maintaining a balance within ourselves ensures complete harmony within the human body and an excess may cause the creation of a negative element of an unbalance in physical form. For example, too much stability may cause an individual to be stubborn, flexibility may lead to indecisiveness, or too much fire, may cause anger. Each element needs to work and support the next and without working together, the entire being fails to operate effectively.
In Japan, the influence of godai has also been a driving force not just in religion and traditions, but in the way architecture is designed.
Finding popularity in the Western world, godai was featured famously in Gorin no sho, or the Book of Five Rings, by Japanesse philosopher and swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645). In his text, Miyamoto explains the different aspects of the elements, in reference to the aspects of swordsmanship. The Book of Five Rings is one of the most insightful texts on the art of confrontation and victory and was written not just for Japanese and Asian culture, but for anyone who was looking to apply the concepts of godai into their life. The book analyses the process of struggle and mastery over conflict that can be found underlying every level of human interaction, and ultimately, is an insight into the understanding of how we are linked intrinsically to each of the five different elements, and how it influences our lives.