The wabi-sabi philosophy celebrates the imperfect, the impermanent and the mundane. Stress, consumption, pressure to perform, the urge for perfection and self-optimization are what set the tone in the Western world. Those who take the wabi-sabi philosophy to heart, however, live in harmony with nature and all its imperfection.
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. In its very name, “wabi-sabi” refers to this impermanence. Initially, the individual words had a negative connotation. “Wabi” could thus be translated as “loneliness”, and “sabi” as “being old”, “withering”. Nowadays, both terms are given a more positive interpretation, hence their being equated with “tranquility” and “grace in aging”. Now, the term “wabi-sabi” refers to the appreciation of aging and the beauty of simple, imperfect things. In contrast thereto, the striving for material possessions and absolute perfection are seen as catalysts of dissatisfaction with one’s life.
The philosophy of wabi-sabi has been practiced for centuries in Japan, but now it is also making a name for itself on the art and design scene in the West. One can find the concept not only in the world of architecture, but also in the world of art and interior design. In these contexts, wabi-sabi is establishing itself as a new trend, just like with vintage or shabby chic.
