Wabi-sabi principles
The concept of wabi-sabi has gained considerable traction in recent years; entire books are dedicated to this philosophy.
In brief, wabi-sabi is finding beauty in imperfection, simplicity, and impermanence.
Buddhism, in particular Zen, teaches to be comfortable with the transitory of life and our imperfect nature.
It initially found its application in the tea ceremony and the use of simple, rustic pottery instead of overly decorated, perfect ones. Western art instead values symmetry, proportions, perfections, and the reach of eternal beauty.
Individuality is not necessarily a virtue in Japan. You have to stick to the rules so that society can benefit from harmony. This way, everything can flow stress-free, like punctual trains and quick restaurant lines. However, not to get lost in a magma of automation, people search for distinctive traits, but in a more modest way. They express their uniqueness through little details, that is, little imperfections in the rules.
In traditional craft, for example, this becomes evident in the crack of a cup, a rustic dish from an artisan, the clouds slightly covering the moon, or the autumn leaves fallen on a perfectly curated street.
As an imperfection, the cup crack has to be appreciated, not canceled or fixed. Architecture and design both follow this aesthetic, too: natural materials that age gracefully with time, asymmetry, and the changing of seasons all remind us of impermanence and that we should embrace change.
Also, Ikebana and bonsai embody wabi-sabi. Artists decorate and shape a vase or a tree with simplicity, seasonality, and asymmetry.
This concept is related to kintsugi: repairing cracks with gold to highlight flaws. It resonates with Ichi-go ichi-e, reminding us that we have to treasure the unrepeatable nature of each moment and that we should fully engage in the present.
So, how does this mindset apply to everyday life?
My interpretation is that we shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we are unsatisfied with our life achievements or a word we oversaid. For example, signs of time on our skins are not unaesthetic but they are a beautiful mark of our past experiences and gained wisdom.
It’s not about giving up effort or flying over problems. On the contrary, we always have to do our very best, but we should accept small inconveniences or search for grace instead of despair in minor, momentary accidents. We should also embrace what is incomplete, like a non-finished book, that leaves room for further thinking.
Daily reminder
To me, this philosophy makes much sense. However, it is challenging to remember daily when “imperfection” appears in my life. To recall this concept, I have made a printable poster to hang on the wall and remind myself that it is ok if I am unhappy with something. We don’t need more stuff in our life, I have made many posters but I sincerely won’t buy them in blocks, there is a selection with several Japanese philosophies and their meaning, check those that best reflect your needs. You can use them too, as A4 paper stuck on your agenda or as a proper decorative poster. I hope it will help many people remember to be serene and value even the imperfect. LINK
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