Kishotenketsu. At first glance, the name may seem like just a Japanese linguistic curiosity, but in reality, it hides one of the most fascinating secrets of storytelling worldwide. For those looking to innovate in scripts, texts, videos, or even advertising campaigns, understanding this concept is almost like gaining a new color palette to paint stories — without falling into the usual clichés.
The interesting thing is that, outside of Japan, few people have truly absorbed the power of Kishotenketsu. And it's not for lack of examples: just watch an anime, flip through a manga, or even analyze some Japanese commercials to notice something different. The tension does not arise from the clash between heroes and villains, but from small surprises and an almost poetic feeling that everything can change with a detail. It seems subtle, but it changes everything.
Table of Contents
Unveiling the Four Pillars of Kishotenketsu
The Kishotenketsu structure (起承転結) is simple on the surface, but deep when you delve into it. It is divided into four parts:
- Ki (起): The beginning. Here, you introduce characters, setting, atmosphere. No rush. It's like opening a window and letting the reader or viewer calmly enter that world.
- Sho (承): The development. The plot expands, but without major turbulence. Small bits of information are being woven together, and the routine gains color. You know that episode of a series that seems to be “stationary” but draws you into the details? That's it.
- Ten (転): The turn. And this is where Kishotenketsu shows its true strength. Instead of an explosion of conflict, a surprise emerges — something that reorganizes the perception of everything that came before. It can be a revelation, a found object, an unexpected gesture.
- Ketsu (結): The conclusion. The loose threads connect, now in a new light. Don't expect miraculous endings: usually, beauty lies in the simplicity of the new meaning.
Want a practical example?
Imagine: A girl learns to cook with her grandmother (Ki), prepares simple recipes while sharing family stories (Sho). One day, while rummaging through an old drawer, she finds love letters from her grandfather to her grandmother, all talking about food (Ten). In the end, she realizes that each dish was a disguised declaration of love (Ketsu). There’s no fight, nor forced drama — just a surprise that recontextualizes the whole experience.
Why Kishotenketsu Charms (And Is So Lacking in the West)?
The West loves a good conflict. Hollywood built empires on the logic of the hero facing the villain, the rise to the climax, and the victory. Kishotenketsu, on the other hand, invites us to slow down. It reminds us that real life is rarely made up of epic clashes, but rather of encounters, small discoveries, and moments when everything gains a new meaning, without anyone needing to "win."
Have you ever had a day that felt completely ordinary until someone shared a secret, showed an old photo, or said an unexpected phrase? Suddenly, everything felt different, without the need for conflict. It’s this feeling that Kishotenketsu captures — and, let's be honest, it’s sorely missed in a world saturated with ready-made formulas.
Those seeking more contemplative, profound, or even philosophical narratives will find in this model a rare creative freedom. It is perfect for content that aims to evoke emotions without manipulation, teach without dramatization, and transform without shouting.
Kishotenketsu in Practice: Much More Than Manga
The secret of Kishotenketsu is not limited to fiction. It can transform the way we create:
- Marketing: Think of a campaign where urban youth help seniors use technology (Ki), exchanging experiences over several weeks (Sho). The unexpected? They discover that one of the grandparents is a former programmer who created the country's first software (Ten). The conclusion is an intergenerational workshop, full of laughter and genuine exchange (Ketsu).
- Social Media: How about a post that starts by asking why leaves change color (Ki), explains the natural process (Sho), reveals a local superstition about luck (Ten), and ends by encouraging the reader to see the trees in their neighborhood with new eyes (Ketsu)?
- Education: Teachers can present a topic, develop it with examples, bring an interesting fact that changes the students' perspective, and only then tie the learning together. Less "final exam," more progressive discoveries.
Japanese Pop Culture: The Living Laboratory of Kishotenketsu
Hayao Miyazaki's films, like “My Neighbor Totoro,” are true lessons in this type of narrative. Notice: instead of villains or conflicts, we see children discovering small wonders of everyday life, and a seemingly trivial moment — like waiting for the bus — becomes pure magic with the silent arrival of Totoro. The unexpected is not a scare, but an invitation to contemplation.
Manga creators like Osamu Tezuka transformed this way of telling stories into a trademark. You might not notice it right away, but when you start to look for it, you see Kishotenketsu in thousands of scenes, dialogues, and even in the "downtime" of episodes that are, in fact, full of meaning.
Cultural Curiosities and Boldness Outside of Japan
Kishotenketsu is not confined to the Japanese archipelago. Similar structures exist in China (qǐ chéng zhuǎn hé) and Korea, each adapting to its own cultural rhythm. And it doesn't stop there: writers and artists from all over the world are testing the format to escape the obligatory conflict and create gentler narratives, or even advertisements and viral videos where what matters is not the shock, but the quiet "click" of surprise.
By the way, many Japanese games also play with this pattern. Those who played titles like Animal Crossing or Journey understand well: the pleasure is in the small discoveries and the feeling that the routine can suddenly take on a different flavor.
Read also: Marketing Terms in Japanese
A Practical Challenge: Try Kishotenketsu Today
If you’re curious, here’s an invitation. The next time you tell a story — whether for a post, a video, a conversation, or even a campaign — try to follow the four steps of Kishotenketsu. Don't force conflict. Prefer a detail, a revelation, a meeting, or a phrase that reorganizes everything. Then, observe: your audience will notice the difference. Often, it’s this lightness that truly wins them over.
In essence, Kishotenketsu invites us to see the beauty in the unexpected, the strength of silent surprise, and the power to reorganize meanings without the need for struggles. In times of excessive noise, perhaps this is what we need the most: narratives capable of touching without shouting.
Have you ever tried to experience Kishotenketsu in your work or life? Share your experience — the best stories are the ones that transform both the storyteller and the listener.
