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, iment, permanent, and incomplete.
Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less
is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi sensitivity refers to
an awer. of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding joy in
the things that bear the mark of this impermanence.
As much a state of mind—an awareness of the things around us
and an acceptance of our surroundings -- as it is a design style, wabi sabi
begs us to appreciate the pure beauty of life —a chipped vase, a quiet rainy
day, the imence of all things. alternative to today's fast-paced,
mass-produced, neon-lighted world, wabi sabi reminds us to slow down and take
comfort in the natural beauty around.
In addition to presenting the philosophy of wabi-sabi, this
book includes -to design advice—so that a transformation of body, mind, and
home can emerge. Chapters include:
- History:
The Development of Wabi Sabi
- Culture:
Wabi Sabi and the Japanese Character
- Art:
Defining Aesthetics
- Design:
Creating Expressions with Wabi Sabi Materials
- Spirit:
The Universal Spirit of Wabi Sabi
