Wabi-Sabi: How To Embrace This Ancient Japanese Philosophy At Home And Life?
Does your to-do list look like a
never-ending chore? Do you feel the constant need to keep refreshing
your wardrobe and improving your home to be “within trends”? Are you
always buying new things, only for the shine to eventually wear off?
Then you need to learn from the ancient Japanese philosophy of
Wabi-sabi.
Although Wabi-sabi can be hard to define, we can translate its simplified meaning to
“rustic simplicity” or “understated elegance” with a focus on a
less-is-more mentality, while “taking pleasure in the imperfect”. It is
easily applied in everyday life. The relentless pursuit of perfection —
in possessions, relationships, achievements — often leads to stress,
anxiety, depression and hasty judgement.
Wabi-sabi
offers an escape from the modern world’s obsession with perfection and
accepts imperfections as all the more meaningful – and, in their own
way, beautiful. This Japanese concept can help you create a happier home
and feel more content with life as it is, rather than always wishing
for more.
Authenticity is a
big part of Wabi-sabi, so cracks and imperfections are cherished for
symbolising the passage of time and loving use. Embracing Wabi-sabi in
the home teaches us to be content with our current lot Without constantly yearning for more. Learning to be selective over what we want and what we really need . It’s the perfect antidote to a throwaway society built on disposable goods and mass-produced, homogeneous items.
Imperfection is the basic principle
of Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese philosophy of accepting your imperfections
and making the most of life.
This Japanese philosophy encourages
us to focus on the blessings shining in our daily lives and celebrate
the way things are rather than craving how they should be.
“Wabi-Sabi is a way of life that appreciates and accepts complexity while at the same time values simplicity. […] Nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.” writes Richard Powell in his book, Wabi-Sabi Simple.
When you embrace Wabi-sabi, you realise that nothing is permanent— even fixed objects are subject to change and taint. A great example of Wabi-sabi in creativity is the art of , Kingtsugi,
where cracked pottery is filled with gold-dusted lacquer as a way to
showcase the beauty of its age and damage rather than hiding it. This
art highlights and praises the faults instead of hiding them.
Wabi-Sabi’s
roots lie in Zen Buddhism, which a Chinese twelfth century monk (Eisai)
brought to Japan. Zen stresses austerity, communion with nature, and
above all, reverence for everyday life as the real path to
enlightenment. To reach enlightenment, Zen monks lived ascetic, often
isolated lives, and sat for long periods of concentrated meditation.
In Zen philosophy, there are seven aesthetic principles in achieving Wabi-sabi:
- Kanso — simplicity
- Fukinsei — asymmetry or irregularity
- Shibumi — beauty in the understated
- Shizen — naturalness without pretension
- Yugen — subtle grace
- Datsuzoku — freeness
- Seijaku — tranquility
What does it take to embrace Wabi-sabi in your surroundings?
You
don’t need to be an expert on Japanese philosophy, live in seclusion
like a Buddhist monk or have a big budget to adopt Wabi-sabi principles
in your home. There is no ‘wrong’ way to go about it; you simply need to
shift your perspective from one of chasing for perfection to one of
appreciating.
Embracing
Wabi-sabi will do more than create a pleasant environment at home. It
focuses on gratitude for what we already have, rather than always
yearning for something new. Creating a powerful shift in perspective
that helps us feel at peace and content in the current moment. Wabi-sabi
allows us to embrace serenity and tranquility in our everyday lives. By
falling in love with our imperfect selves like things that surround us,
we reduce the need to buy as many new things.
Perhaps you have a rusty kitchen Knife
which has been passed through the generations (which appears a bit
rusty and chipped). Instead of being embarrassed by its less than
pristine condition, you should value it because of its imperfect nature (and shapen it)
. Those signs of use are a story and mark the passage of time; which won’t come with a brand new knife.
Nevertheless,
buying new things is sometimes necessary. Circumstances change,
children come and go, we move houses (and lose things in transit), get
new hobbies and so on. But when shopping, consider a Wabi-sabi approach
and opt for sustainable, high quality, handmade or vintage products over
mass produced products with a planned Obsolescenc .
Incorporating Wabi-sabi in your home decor
Wabi-sabi
is about appreciating nature, so pay attention to the materials you
bring into your home and go for natural options like wood, steel and
stone where possible. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they
age well too. Take linen sheets for example, they get better with every
wash.
" Hängmattan Fattas ännu på trädgården "
When choosing colours, you can also
look to nature for inspiration. This leaves a lot of room for personal
choice as blushing cherry blossom pink is just as natural as cool and
calming sea foam. Likewise stormy grey is as natural as pine forest
green. In physical objects you can expect the use of natural materials
in a rustic style. Imperfections are not from sloppiness but the nature
of the materials and process, or the use of the object itself. Objects
will be personal, humble, and functional.
It
can be tempting to constantly add and change things to your home – in
the end this is what society wants us to do. Decluttering and stripping back the unnecessary. Remember that Wabi-sabi is
all about to allow yourself to live well. Consider Japanese take on minimalist Lifestyle
by getting rid of superfluous clutter by ridding yourself of pointless
items. By doing this you allow the things that really matter to stand
out and shine.
Thanks for the corperation of Finnish/Japan Wabi-sabi style and hope to post every week for more update to ya'll 🙏💥💀👹
