Language is a fascinating thing. There are so many different ways to express certain things. Nowhere is this more apparent than when dealing with multiple languages. Often, there is no way to translate a kimono-specific word into English, because there’s not been a need for it. Loanwords are a fantastic solution for most of these, things that can easily be clarified with a glossaryor reference chart with a short definition.
Sometimes, however, a simple glossary isn’t enough. These concepts are more abstract and can’t easily be translated into English or explained in a sentence or two. I thought it would be both useful and interesting to break down some of the more common terms or expressions that often get used when describing certain styles. I use several of these, and they’re more complex than any floating tool-tip or single line definition, so here they are collected in one easy reference.
Iki –いき
The concept of iki evolved from the streamlined and urbane sense of style of the merchant class during the Edo era. In stark contrast to the overly ornamented, almost gaudy fashions worn by samurai and the ruling classes, a sense of iki evolved from simple colours and patterns and thoughtful unexpected touches. A sense of refinement would be clear in the quality of fabric and attention to detail more than flamboyant colour and embroidery. Think of the fashionably effortless appeal of a young Parisian woman, and there you will find a western analogue for iki.
Wabi-Sabi –侘寂
Wabi-sabi is probably the aesthetic term most commonly referenced in English when discussing Japanese style. Here in the west, it has almost come to mean “anything Japanese”, but in reality it has a more precise usage. When something is truly wabi-sabi, it embraces the fragile imperfection of nature. It evokes a sense of transience, a slight roughness of aspect that reminds us all of where we came from. Raw slubbed silk, uneven handmade pottery, naturally winding and twisted branches are all wonderful examples of wabi-sabi.
Shibui –渋い
Shibui is quite possibly the most straightforward of these terms. Like a sense of excellent, refined taste, shibui is simple and elegant, again focusing on quality craftsmanship and sparse lines. If iki is a stylish young woman, shibui is her refined grandmother. Unlike some of the others mentioned here, shibui may aim for perfection, but with the implicit understanding that it will never be fully achieved. Subtle but exceptional decoration and luxurious fabrics and materials are essential here.
Mono no Aware –物の哀れ
When you think of the fleeting, ephemeral beauty of the short-lived sakura blossom, appreciating the moment all the more because you know it’s going to be over soon, you’re experiencing mono no aware. There is a distinctly Japanese awareness of the constantly changing essence of the natural world around us, as evidenced by the seventy-two micro-season calendar.Mono no aware not only acknowledges the impermanence of things, it focuses on that impermanence, as well as the wistful feelings it engenders.
Mottainai –もったいない
A bit of an outlier, mottainai isn’t a sense of aesthetics so much as a general philosophy of regret about waste and excess. It comes into play especially when it comes to vintage pieces, which are often remade into new things. It’s very common to find f*ckuro obi that may have been stained or are too small converted into hanhaba obi or tsuke-obi. Less common but still frequent are conversions like turning a kimono into a haori, or into a western-style dress. There is beauty in the history of a garment, and in giving it new life instead of creating more waste. This becomes more and more vital as a preservation method as traditional techniques start to die off, and a way to protect our increasingly fragile environment.
Kawaii –かわいい
If you’ve spent any time on the internet, odds are you’ve encountered kawaii. It’s absolutely a more modern concept than the others mentioned here, and may not necessarily be as relevant in the world of kimono, but it’s definitely starting to have more of an influence. We’re seeing more pastels, more frills, more lace, than ever before. Kawaii as an aesthetic isn’t just “cute”.It’s cute beyond cute. Cute as a lifestyle choice. It’s about embracing the youthful and girly in a way that can feel almost subversive in a world that encourages us all to grow up fast.
Are there any other terms like this you think should be included? Something you’ve heard or read but aren’t sure about? Please leave a comment below!
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FAQs
Developed out of the aesthetic philosophy of cha-no-yu (the tea ceremony) in fifteenth-century Japan, wabi-sabi is an aesthetic that finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.
What is wabi-sabi in Japanese words? ›
Wabi-sabi is a composite of two interrelated aesthetic concepts, wabi (侘) and sabi (寂). According to the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, wabi may be translated as "subdued, austere beauty," while sabi means "rustic patina."
What are the 4 elements of Japanese beauty? ›
Japanese aesthetics comprise a set of ancient ideals that include wabi (transient and stark beauty), sabi (the beauty of natural patina and aging), and yūgen (profound grace and subtlety). These ideals, and others, underpin much of Japanese cultural and aesthetic norms on what is considered tasteful or beautiful.
What does sabi mean in Japanese slang? ›
“Wabi” and “Sabi” are terms describing the sense of beauty in Japan. In general, they refer to simplicity and serenity.
What does wabi-sabi look like? ›
In this manner, wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophy and interior design aesthetic that embraces the beauty of any substance or being in its most natural and raw form, giving a unique aesthetic and sense of comfort with simplicity. Wabi-sabi looks into life and into design as 'imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete'.
What are the three principles of wabi-sabi? ›
The heart of wabi-sabi comes from the tenets of Buddhism. Thus, the three marks of existence – impermanence, suffering and not-self – are applicable to all phenomena.
What does wabi-sabi mean in love? ›
The basic idea behind Wabi Sabi Love is that by embracing imperfection (from the Japanese term "wabi sabi") you can enhance your marriage. It sounds paradoxical, and so it is.
Is wabi-sabi a way of life? ›
A Wabi-Sabi lifestyle is a lifestyle of quiet, rustic simplicity, rooted in appreciating asymmetry and flaws that are found in nature. Or, in ourselves.
What does wabi-sabi mean in a sentence? ›
[ wah-bee-sah-bee ] show ipa. noun. a Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in objects, landscapes, designs, etc., that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent: It's the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which delights in the tarnish on an ancient silver bowl and the old uneven cobblestones.
What is Iki in Japanese? ›
Iki (粋/いき, roughly "chic, stylish") is a Japanese aesthetical ideal of subdued displays of taste and/or wealth, with an emphasis on belying, on first glance, the efforts taken to appear stylish.
Miyabi. In contrast to the simple and rustic aesthetics of wabi sabi, miyabi is polished and elegant, and is the most encompassing term to describe the aesthetics of the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. Miyabi means 'courtliness' and 'refinement'.
How do I apply wabi-sabi in real life? ›
The Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi is all about accepting the imperfect and finding beauty in the flawed. It's a way of life that can be applied to different areas of your life, including how you foster your relationships, adapt your home decor to maximise a happier home and how you can better appreciate food.
What is another word for wabi-sabi? ›
The closest English word to wabi-sabi is probably "rustic". ... Things wabi-sabi are unstudied and inevitable looking. .. unpretentious. .. Their craftsmanship may be impossible to discern.
Is Kintsugi the same as wabi-sabi? ›
In addition to being a decorative art form, kintsugi is also seen as a metaphor for the concept of wabi sabi. Wabi sabi is a Japanese aesthetic concept that values the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
What are the Zen aesthetics of Wabi and Sabi? ›
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic ideal often considered together with Zen Buddhism. It is composed of two words, Wabi (侘) and Sabi (寂). Sabi is materialistic forms of imperfection and impermanence and Wabi comes from spiritual fullness and positive mindset to embrace the imperfect world of Sabi.
What is the psychology of wabi-sabi? ›
Rooted in Zen Buddhism and traditional Japanese aesthetics, Wabi-Sabi celebrates the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. This mindset invites individuals to embrace the natural cycles of growth and decay, finding beauty and contentment in simplicity, asymmetry, and authenticity.
What is the Japanese aesthetic of minimalism? ›
Japanese minimalism is inspired by the aesthetic of Japan's traditional Zen Buddhism, and it focuses on keeping life simple, clean, and uncluttered by living with just the essentials.
What are the seven aesthetic principles for achieving wabi-sabi? ›
Seven aesthetic principles are used to achieve Wabi-Sabi: f*ckinsei (Asymmetry), Kanso (Simplicity), Shibumi (Minimalist), Shizen (Without pretence), Yugen (Subtly-profound grace), Datsuzoku (Unconventional), Seijaku (Tranquillity).
