PERFECT, IMPERFECT

In Japanese culture, wabi sabi, loosely translated to ‘perfect, imperfect,’ is not a phrase commonly used but rather a philosophy lived intuitively. It is accepting the transience of life and appreciating the inherent beauty that lies in the imperfect. Wabi is about finding beauty in the simple elements of life; it is about reflecting on nature and detaching from the material world. Sabi is centered on the passage of time, the tranquil beauty that manifests in objects as they grow and decay. This ever-present philosophy is about how aging gives things a deeper meaning and thus a greater lure. And although it can raise emotions such as sadness, there is beauty in the natural cycle of life and its inherent impermanence.

This philosophy can be connected to the culture of tea in Japan, whereby tea is raised to the degree of “a religion of aestheticism…founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the sordid facts of everyday existence,” as Okokura Kokuzo stated in his famed book The Life of Tea. Five hundred years ago, tea and the tea ceremony in Japan were among the few ways the Japanese began to welcome opportunities to appreciate beauty and harmony in life. At that time in history, Japan was plagued with famine, natural disasters, poverty, starvation, and violence. The harsh realities of life made it so important to understand and accept its impermanence. They took solace in tea and the tea ceremony, a ritual cast around small, dim spaces, whereby few gathered to take in nature and the basic elements of life. People began to focus on worshiping simplicity rather than wealth, which was radical at the time. But this evolved into a new and now prevailing aspect of Japanese culture. Wabi sabi has really become a phrase that can represent what Japanese culture and its history can teach the world about a fruitful existence. Though it is different for everyone, because our experiences and emotions are personal and unique, this philosophy, or better yet way of life, encourages us to appreciate authentic beauty, the unpretentious, and the imperfect.

Wabi sabi can truly only be brought into our homes if we bring it into our lives. Rather than constantly striving to make things as we think they should be, let’s instead sit back and revel in the way things actually are. We can learn to take comfort in life not being perfect, from our achievements and relationships through to our possessions and spaces. The simple, irregular, and understated aspects of life are where true beauty lies. That flower in the garden that blooms magnificently at the onset of spring can be appreciated all year long, not just because of those glorious petals but the transformation it goes through, the changes it makes, its blossom and its decay.

As you see, living wabi sabi is much more intentional than meets the eye. In some ways, aspects of the home naturally play with the philosophy. Wood will age and change over the years, the finish will fade and take abuse, but this is where the magic often begins. It is our tendency to want our space to be as clean as possible and our belongings to look new but a truly authentic home is one that is lived in. Of course sometimes we do need or want something new for our spaces, so the key is to make conscious choices that bring well made, durable pieces into our homes. In doing so, we pave the way for wabi sabi to happen naturally. A well-made, handcrafted item, whether it be wood, ceramic, metal, or made of other natural materials, will age beautifully and, in fact, have a more authentic look over time. The same applies to color, for as time goes by vibrant colors will fade and dull, but this is what makes them real. The craft can be appreciated more and more over the years and additionally has all the memories and stories associated to it for the life it has led.