Wabi-SAbi

Wabi and Sabi - two once-independent concepts now fused into the singular and profound notion of Wabi-Sabi. This philosophical worldview speaks to the very essence of beauty and the ephemeral nature of existence.

Wabi, with its subdued and austere allure, rises as a revolutionary concept that shatters the very foundations of exuberance and ostentation. In the 15th century, Japan's celebration of lavish and exclusive accessories, imported from far-off China, reached a pinnacle of indulgence. Yet, in the midst of such grandeur, Wabi emerged as a beacon of elegant simplicity - a celebration of minor faults, cracks, kinks, and visible signs of use or repair.

Wabi is not an elitist form of asceticism, but rather an attitude of serious modesty and moderation. It demands a voluntary self-restraint that concentrates on the essential, even in the face of adversity and difficulty. There is no room for deprivation or scarcity, only an unyielding focus on what truly matters. In the realm of Wabi, the meal for a gathering in a small room should be but a single soup and two or three dishes, with sakè served in moderation. For elaborate preparation of food for the Wabi gathering is deemed inappropriate.

Thus, Wabi-Sabi beckons us to embrace the beauty of imperfection and the ephemeral nature of existence. It calls us to find joy in the simple and the rustic, and to celebrate the marks of time and use as a testament to the unique story of an object or individual. With discipline of thought, a willingness to forego excess, and an unagitated elegance, Wabi-Sabi celebrates the beauty of the essential, and invites us to do the same.