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"Nothing [is the] exact opposite of the world-denying pessimistic nihilism [and is] absolutely life-affirming since Zen and Zen art regard being as the self-unfolding of the unformed Nothing."

- Toshimitsu Hasumi, Zen in Japanese Art (1962)

Hasumi also notes in his book that in Zen, art is a "way of spiritual experience." The way that we, as visitors to Japan and as students of art, experienced Japanese, Shinto, Buddhist and Confucian spiritualities was through art - architecture, panels, gardens and ikebana arrangements.

This could be seen in the painted panels at the 13th century Rinzai Zen temple Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion:

Or the way an ikebana floral arrangement is set against a stark white wall: