Denmark has a word, hygge. It is an idea often brought up when people think about well-being.
Cozy time, a comfortable space
In Danish, hygge refers to cozy time plus a comfortable space. It carries the sense of a relaxed happiness that comes from connection with others.
The word is said to have come into use around 1800, from a Norwegian word meaning well-being. It does not describe special luxury, but the small comforts of everyday life.
Wisdom from a land of long winters
Denmark is always near the top of the World Happiness Report. In the 2025 report it ranked 2nd out of 137 countries (Japan was 55th). The culture of hygge is often pointed to as part of the reason for this gap.
Northern Europe has long winters with short daylight hours, a place where moods sink easily. In that environment, a culture grew up around making time at home comfortable. Candlelight is essential to hygge, and simple furniture with the warmth of natural materials is preferred.
Winter in Yamagata, and painting
Yamagata, too, is a land of heavy snow plus long winters. Not as much as Denmark, perhaps, but the time spent indoors grows longer.
Since learning about hygge, I have begun to think more seriously about comfort at home. A painting in a color you love hanging on the wall. A time to dim the lights and look at it. I think that, too, is real well-being.
Mermaid nao's order art aims to be a piece that becomes part of the comfort of your daily life.
[References]
IDEAS FOR GOOD (Japanese): What hygge means
SYNODOS (Japanese): What is hygge? Why Denmark is called a happy country, by Mao Uchida
ELEMINIST (Japanese): What is hygge? A comfortable way of living true to yourself, from Denmark
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