awase

Awase is a Japanese term, commonly written with the kanji 合わせ, that denotes the act or result of bringing together, matching, or coordinating elements. It originates from the verb awaseru, meaning “to fit,” “to join,” or “to align.” In everyday language, awase describes the process of making things compatible or harmonious, whether physical, social, or conceptual.

Common uses include both practical and social alignment. For example, clocks are set by saying to “awasu a clock” (時計を合わせる) and colors or patterns are paired by saying to “match colors” (色を合わせる). Opinions or plans can also be aligned or reconciled, as in expressions that mean to bring people to agreement (意見を合わせる). The underlying sense is to create coherence by matching appropriate elements to a given situation.

In addition to daily speech, awase appears in design, crafts, and cuisine as a general principle of harmony. It underpins practices that seek balance among materials, flavors, or visual elements, aiming to produce a cohesive whole. The concept also carries a broader cultural association with harmony and compatibility, values often highlighted in Japanese aesthetics and collaborative activities.

The word can appear in various compound forms and in proper nouns, including place names and personal or organizational names, but its core meaning remains the same: the act of bringing things into alignment, whether by adjustment, matching, or synchronization. Etymologically, it is the noun form derived from the verb awaseru, indicating the ongoing or resulting state of coordination.