Wabi sabi is something O.A.T. travelers will experience during our Japan’s Cultural Treasures adventure, perfectly exemplified in this cracked dish repaired with a golden lacquer—the filling highlights its age and wear, rather than hides it."
Question: What special Japanese art form celebrates beauty in the naturally imperfect world?
Answer: Wabi Sabi
In a world where perfection is sought after in nearly everything—from appearances to possessions—the Japanese art form known as wabi sabi is the antithesis of that. The unique practice is all about finding and embracing the beauty of life’s imperfections, both in material goods and the human existence, rather than hide them away. The practice believes there is great value to be received from anything worn in the passage of time, and it’s one of the secrets to happiness in Japan.
The concept of wabi sabi can’t be translated into English as we don’t have the vocabulary to encapsulate what the phrase means; however, the feeling of each word can be broken down. "Wabi" describes the sensation of being alone in nature and away from society—a feeling of isolation, but not loneliness. The essence of "sabi" is something that is weathered in a way that is rustic and elegant. It is the deep beauty that only emerges through time and wear. When put together, wabi sabi is all about celebrating everything that is worn and well-loved, and those who practice it appreciate what is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete." Whether it’s a rustic dinner table, misshapen vegetables, or wrinkles on a face, it’s believed that these imperfections have stories to be celebrated.
Some of the characteristics enjoyed in the art of wabi sabi include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, and modesty. It’s perfectly encapsulated in the aesthetic of a Japanese tea ceremony that often uses mismatched tea cups and utensils. In the 15th and 16th centuries this precedent was set by tea masters who chose to use common Japanese pottery instead of the popular and luxurious imported Chinese dishware. Here, they challenged the rules of beauty, and to this day, tea ceremonies typically don’t rely on expensive and elaborate tools, but rather the whole experience is about connection and the host’s hospitality.
Another example of wabi sabi is the art of kintsugi in which broken ceramics are repaired with a paste of gold lacquer. By filling in cracks with gold, kintsugi shows off the beauty of an object’s age, rather than trying to fix it and hide its errors. In clothing, vintage stores in the trendy neighborhoods of Tokyo sell garments with frayed cuffs or ragged collars to customers who pay for these imperfect features. Again, it is believed that the wear and tear adds valuable personal character. Other Japanese arts are influenced by wabi sabi including pottery, Zen gardens, poetry, and honkyoku, the traditional bamboo flute music of monks.
So while many search for perfection, wabi sabi brings about pause. It encourages the embrace of things as they are—rather than how they "should" be. This state of mindfulness focuses on living in the present and finding satisfaction when things aren’t perfect, for a happier and more content life.
8 Ways to Practice Wabi Sabi in Your Life:
- Embrace your personal story, and reflect on the paths you’ve traveled. Every person has their own unique story with its own beauty.
- Choose items for your home that last and grow with you, instead of cheaply made or mass-produced products. Buy secondhand and appreciate the life that the object had prior to you.
- Simplify your life by appreciating the things you already have, rather than chasing after new ones.
- Buy fruits and vegetables from a local farmers’ market or grow them in your own garden. They may be lumpy and misshapen, but they will be more satisfying to eat knowing they came from close to home.
- In addition, cooking the wabi sabi way is about being creative and having fun—not making everything exactly like the recipe. Cooking should be a joyful act so improvise in the kitchen and savor all the flavors of your completed dish.
- Get outdoors and take time to observe the raw beauty of nature—such as the changing of the leaves or the growth of wildflowers.
- Take time to declutter your home so you have more time to appreciate the elements that "spark joy" as Marie Kondo would say.
- Appreciate the process of aging because stories lie in the imperfections, such as scars or wrinkles.
We’ll explore the many unique traditions that make Japan a place like no other during Japan’s Cultural Treasures.
