Going beyond aesthetics, wabi sabi is a Japanese philosophy that lets us accept life’s sublime imperfections
Nothing is perfect. Nothing is finished. Nothing lasts forever. These are the phrases that encapsulate wabi sabi, the Japanese philosophy that, in the words of Nobuo Suzuki, author of the bestselling book Wabi Sabi: The Wisdom of Imperfection, embraces the beauty of the incomplete, the impermanent and the imperfect. As wabi sabi encompasses the principles of kanso (simplicity), shizen (naturalness), fukinsei (asymmetry) and yūki tekusucha (organic texture), it presents a different view of aesthetics, one that is unique to the Japanese. For them, the ideal of beauty does not seek symmetry and uniformity. Instead, the Japanese seek naturalness. As Suzuki writes, “For a Westerner, the most beautiful cup is an impeccably fashioned one, with a perfect circumference, a smooth immaculate surface and—if it is decorated—an exact and uniform arrangement of the decorations.” However, for the Japanese, the one with flaws is regarded as the most highly-valued. For these flaws, dents and cracks make the piece unique.
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This unique perspective on aesthetics made wabi sabi popular in the global design sphere with architects and designers applying its principles to architecture and interior design. One of the creative geniuses who appreciates the wabi sabi philosophy in design is the multi-awarded Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen. He shares, “Just like this ancient Japanese mindset, I also appreciate the ephemeral and imperfect essence of life. By emphasising simplicity and serenity, wabi sabi also broadens into a way of life that rejects the idea of materialism.” He reiterates the key elements of wabi sabi to be humbleness, intimacy, roughness, asymmetry and the passage of time. For him, the careful selection and addition of natural materials, texture and light into the home truly adds to the emotional beauty of the living space.
Wabi sabi also encourages putting value on what already exists rather than constantly seeking out new and perfect things. In this sense, it promotes sustainable living through reusing and repurposing materials, skillful repairing of broken items, and the appreciation of the natural beauty of the environment. Therefore, wabi sabi helps reduce waste, conserve resources and minimise impact on the environment.
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