質素
しっそ · shisso · JLPT N1 · na-adj
frugality
🪵 質 (quality) + 素 (plain, raw): plain-quality living, the opposite of showy luxury
質素 pairs 質 (quality, substance) with 素 (plain, undyed, unadorned). Shisso describes a life of good substance kept simple and unshowy, so frugal but not poor.
素 — silk 糸 + sheng 𠂹 (hanging threads)
Originally depicted raw, undyed silk hanging to dry, with the silk radical 糸 below and strands above. From this came the meaning 'plain, unadorned, white,' then extended to 'basic element' or 'plain/simple' in general. The 'vegetarian' sense developed later from the idea of plain, unembellished food.