Title page
WABI SABI GUIDE
A detailed guide in learning Japanese wisdom to understand the beauty of imperfection and find peace and perfection in an imperfect world
Mari Campbell
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO WABI SABI
Both wabi sabi and kintsugi may be traced back to the aesthetics of the Japanese tea ceremony, which preserves the Zen Buddhist principles of cleanliness, harmony, and tranquillity. Their historical beginnings can be found in the tea ritual.
The wabi sabi philosophy and the kintsugi technique both place an emphasis on learning to tolerate imperfection.
This guide provides an overview of the Japanese notions of wabi sabi and kintsugi, as well as an explanation of how counseling and psychotherapy may make use of these ideas.
It is advised to clients that they participate in a number of beneficial activities in order to assist them in developing the self-acceptance that comes from accepting their shortcomings rather than attempting to conceal them.
What Are Wabi Sabi & Kintsugi?
Wabi sabi is a Japanese phrase that refers to an appreciation of the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity as the natural condition of things in the universe. Wabi sabi is a philosophy that was developed in Japan.
According to Japanologist Beth Kempton (2018), wabi sabi is famously difficult to explain since it is an experience that is focused in the heart and escapes the constraints of words.
Kintsugi, on the other hand, is a term that refers to the Japanese art of repairing damaged ceramics with lacquer and powdered gold. The goal of this technique is to improve the beauty of the ceramics by making the repairs visible rather than concealing them.
Kintsugi is often utilized as a metaphor for the beauty that may be found in the healed wounds that we as humans have experienced.
The meaning of the term wabi sabi
The Japanese aesthetic and philosophical idea of wabi sabi highlights the beauty of imperfection, transience, and simplicity in both natural and human-made works. Wabi sabi was developed in the Edo period of Japan.
It acknowledges the natural cycles of development, decay, and death as fundamental features of existence and strives to discover harmony in the imperfection, incompleteness, and asymmetry that are inherent in life.
People are encouraged to accept the inherent defects and flaws that exist not just in themselves but also in others and the environment around them as part of the Wabi Sabi philosophy, which places a high importance on authenticity, modesty, and humility.
The origin and history of wabi sabi and kintsugi aesthetics
Both wabi sabi and kintsugi may be traced back to Japan's long and illustrious history with tea.
The wabi-sabi style derives from the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which places an emphasis on simplicity and naturalness in terms of the ceremonial utensils and the environment around the tea house (Kempton, 2018).
The original purpose of the tea ceremony was to support the Zen monks' efforts to stay aware and present during extended hours of meditation.
But, by the 15th century, the Japanese shoguns had converted the event into an extravagant display of riches utilizing imported ceramics from China in spectacular surrounds. This occurred in the context of the ceremonial.
Tea expert Murata Shuk sent a letter to his pupil Furuichi Chin in 1488, urging him to return to the graceful simplicity of Zen principles by utilizing rustic tea cups that welcomed imperfection. The message was addressed to Chin.
The aesthetic that later became known as wabi sabi was accentuated due to this.
You may learn more about the background of wabi sabi by watching the School of Life video that has been provided below.
Moreover, kintsugi may be traced back to the history of tea in Japan.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third Shogun of Japan, damaged his favorite tea cup during the Muromachi era of the 14th century and had it repaired in China. During this time, Japan was under the rule of the Muromachi.
When Yoshimitsu received the bowl back, he was appalled to see the unsightly metal staples that had been used to keep the shattered fragments of the bowl together.
He called on his master craftsmen to come up with a more aesthetically acceptable alternative.
They came up with a technique that used lacquer and gold powder that did not hide the cracks in the tea bowl but rather highlighted them as an attractive characteristic that was intrinsic to the bowl.
This technique came to be known as kintsugi, which comes from the Japanese words kin, which means "golden," and tsugi, which means "joinery."
Impressum
Verlag: BookRix GmbH & Co. KG
Bildmaterialien: Istock
Cover: Istock images
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 05.03.2023
ISBN: 978-3-7554-3438-2
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This book is dedicated to God, my friends and Family