Studi di estetica, anno XLVIII, IV serie, 2/2020 Sensibilia ISSN 0585-4733, ISSN digitale 1825-8646, DOI 10.7413/18258646129 Lorenzo Marinucci Hibiki and nioi A study of resonance in Japanese aesthetics Abstract In this article I will attempt a definition of “resonance”: first reflecting about it in general terms and then trying to address its role in Japanese aesthetics, in partic- ular poetics. While far from being limited to East Asian aesthetic expressions, I will show how the experience of “resonance” has played a comparatively more central role in this cultural context, shaping peculiar forms of poetry. It is therefore useful to observe non-European sources, if only to understand our hidden cultural as- sumptions before this kind of phenomenon and suspend our prejudices more effec- tively in examining it. After examining the use of atmospheric resonance in waka and in renga I will focus on haikai 俳諧 poetics and on the notions of hibiki 響き (echo) and nioi 匂い (scent) in the theoretical discussions on poetry among Matsuo Bashō 松尾芭蕉 (1844-1894) and his disciples. Keywords Resonance, Synesthesia, Japanese poetry Received: 10/04/2020 Approved: 10/06/2020 Editing by: Giulio Piatti © 2020 The Author. Open Access published under the terms of the CC-BY-4.0.
[email protected] 119 Lorenzo Marinucci, Hibiki and Nioi 1. Resonance How do we define “resonance”? A first safe assumption is declaring that resonances are phenomena. A resonance is not, however, a single, isolated phenomenon: in order for a resonance to occur, it is necessary for two elements, two noemata, to be both present in our consciousness.