渋(しぶ)み

しぶみ
noun
astringency; subtle elegance
1. astringency; puckering taste
The sharp, bitter, mouth-puckering taste found in unripe persimmons, strong tea, and red wine.
この柿(かき)はまだ渋(しぶ)みがある。
This persimmon still has astringency.
緑茶(りょくちゃ)の渋(しぶ)みが好(す)きだ。
I like the astringency of green tea.
抹茶(まっちゃ)の渋(しぶ)みが和菓子(わがし)の甘(あま)さと合(あ)う。
The astringency of matcha complements the sweetness of Japanese sweets.
2. understated elegance; refined simplicity
An aesthetic quality of restrained, subtle beauty that comes with maturity, often applied to people or art.
年(とし)を取(と)って渋(しぶ)みが出(で)てきた俳優(はいゆう)だ。
He's an actor who has developed a distinguished elegance with age.
この着物(きもの)は渋(しぶ)みのある色合(いろあ)いだ。
This kimono has an elegant, understated color palette.
渋(しぶ)みのある声(こえ)で語(かた)りかけるナレーションが印象的(いんしょうてき)だった。
The narration, delivered in a voice of understated refinement, was impressive.

ETYMOLOGY: Noun form of 渋(しぶ)い (astringent; subdued; refined).

SENSE 1 - TASTE:

SOURCES OF ASTRINGENCY:

  • 渋柿(しぶがき): astringent persimmon
  • 緑茶(りょくちゃ): green tea
  • 赤(あか)ワイン: red wine
  • タンニン: tannins

FIVE BASIC TASTES (五味(ごみ)) IN JAPANESE CONTEXT:

  • 甘味(あまみ): sweetness
  • 酸味(さんみ): sourness
  • 塩気(しおけ): saltiness
  • 苦味(にがみ): bitterness
  • 旨味(うまみ): umami
  • (渋味(しぶみ): often counted as a sixth)

SENSE 2 - AESTHETIC:

CONNECTED TO 渋(しぶ)い AESTHETIC:

  • Mature, subdued beauty
  • Lack of showiness
  • Quiet sophistication
  • Associated with aging gracefully

APPLIED TO:

  • Colors (muted earth tones)
  • Fashion (understated elegance)
  • People (distinguished bearing with age)
  • Art (restrained, refined works)

Related Words

Related: 渋(しぶ)い (astringent; refined)
Related: 甘味(あまみ) (sweetness)
Related: 酸味(さんみ) (sourness)
Related: 苦味(にがみ) (bitterness)
Related: 旨味(うまみ) (umami)
general
Added 2026.1.19 8:54 · Revised 2026.4.19 13:14
07000/07149_shibumi