Job Discussion Forums

[Eric]

What does Wabi sabi mean?????

[robertokun]

I'm not sure anyone can give you an exact definition, but if you read this book you'll be one step closer to knowing.

Wabi Sabi: The Japanese art of impermanence. By Andrew Juniper.

http://www.amazon.com/Wabi-Sabi-Japanese-Art-Impermanence/dp/0804834822/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235413273&sr=8-11

Here's a quote from the amazon page:

"Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi sabi refers to an awareness of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding pleasure in the things that bear the mark of this impermanence. As a design style, wabi sabi helps us to appreciate the simple beauty in imperfection--of a chipped vase or a rainy day, for example."

[Apsara]

You can't possibly understand wabi sabi if you are not Japanese

[kahilm]

[Eric]

The reason I asked the question in the first place was that at a teaching conference we recently learned about a book where a cat named Wabi Sabi asked what his name meant and was always confused when he heard the answer.

Thank you for providing me with the amazon quote and bringing me closer to understanding the essence of Wabi Sabi