Wabi Sabi

This aesthetic Japanese style is not easy to explain, said my mother.

When I read from the book from Leonard Koren, the short description behind the book: "It is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete." she did not agree it. But further:"It is a beauty of things modest and humble." She did agree it.

She tried to explain, 'wabi sabi' is a very sophisticated aesthetic view, simple, but not imperfect, neither impermanent or incomplete. It is a subtle expression of beauty.

Somewhere online I found this description that matches with my mother's description:

Wabi means things that are fresh and simple. It denotes simplicity and quietude, and also incorporates rustic beauty. It includes both that which is made by nature, and that which is made by man. It also can mean an accidental or happenstance element (or perhaps even a small flaw) which gives elegance and uniqueness to the whole.

Sabi means things whose beauty stems from age. It refers to the patina of age, and the concept that changes due to use may make an object more beautiful and valuable. This also incorporates an appreciation of the cycles of life, as well as careful, artful mending of damage.

My mother's words: Wabi Sabi has to do with melancholy, solitude and quietude, simplicity, closeness to nature and decay.

My feeling is familiar to it. I have seen it along my childhood, and have imprinted it's recognition. But never knew existed a word for it.

Wabi sabi, triggers me; it is the first time I hear a description of a known feeling, that influences my life style, aesthetic, beauty notion, my soul.