Hey there! If you have ever studied art either at school, as an extra-curricular/hobby or even if you just stumbled across it, the name of the title might be ringing a few bells. I discovered the term about four years ago and have held it close to my heart for a long time. Wabi-Sabi is a concept that I have been fascinated by and a lifestyle that has inspired me. It has informed my own aesthetic and really resonated with me on a metaphorical level as well.
In traditional Japanese aesthetics, Wabi-Sabi is a world-view focused on the acceptance of impermanence and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of beauty that is flawed, temporary, and unfinished. It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence, specifically transience, suffering and emptiness, or the absence of self. It sounds kinda doom-and gloom, doesn’t it? But if you google it or even look it up on Pinterest, you might understand why I find it to be such a wonderful concept both for everyday life and as an aesthetic.
Characteristics of the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes.
One application of Wabi-Sabi that is quite pleasing to look at, is Kintsugi (or kintsukuroi). This is an aspect of Wabi-Sabi put into practice, used for centuries to repair broken ceramics with gold and other metals. Families will pass down ceramics from generation to generation, the heirlooms becoming more precious and valuable the more they are broken and put back together.
The underlying principles of Kintsugi is extremely philosophical. This practice makes broken things beautiful, prized and treasured. How can this be applied through Wabi-Sabi to our everyday lives? Personally, I would like to think that the things that make me broken, flawed and imperfect make me lovely, desirable and unique. Just like the ceramics passed on through the years, the precious metals that make me whole again are for me to decide. For you, this will look way different. For me, the gold that keeps me together is my family, friends, religion and morals. Without these things, I know I would be falling apart without the precious and valuable parts of my life holding me together.
So, what things hold you and your aesthetically pleasing self together? What to find to be valuable and precious, worthy of your time and strong enough to hold you together when you fall apart? I was talking to a dear friend of mine, discussing this very topic and he said something very profound to me. I would like to leave it with you.
“Don’t act like some broken pot when you are the Wabi-Sabi! You are one dang beautiful piece of pottery.”
Like always, feel free to leave a comment and share, I love hearing from you guys!
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