Wabi-Sabi: How A Japanese Aesthetic Can Help You Grow Older Gracefully By Renee Langmuir

By Renee Langmuir

Every morning, as part of my spiritual practice, I read from three books. Two volumes are daily inspirations based on Taoist philosophy by Deng Ming-Dao. As soon as I come to the end of each book, I start over, because the readings always seem fresh and relevant, even after many rotations. The third book is a changing addition, which pertains to something I need to work on, personally. Through serendipity, I stumbled upon the book Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers by Leonard Koren, circa 1994. I am not an artist, designer, or poet…………a philosopher? Maybe.

Wabi-Sabi defined

Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese philosophical concept that has its roots in Zen Buddhism. It is hard to define but can be understood as a rustic, simple expression of beauty. The philosophy dates back to Sen No Rikyu, a sixteenth-century innovator of a new way to conduct the Japanese tea ceremony. Previously, the ceremony, which had great importance in business and social situations, was influenced by the exquisite perfection of the Chinese aesthetic – pristine tableware and tea implements. Rikyu created the new tea ceremony in a farmer-style hut with rough mud walls and a misshapen thatched roof. He created tea ceremony objects which were made of natural materials and had a well-worn look. Globally, it is the most recognizable Japanese style.

The Wabi-Sabi ideology values the unsophisticated, the earthy, the primitive, and the natural. It accommodates degradation, erosion, and the fact that material objects (and things in nature) are always evolving and devolving. Greatness exists in the overlooked, and beauty can come from ugliness. Truth comes from observing nature, and there is acceptance of the inevitable. All of these are traditional Buddhist concepts.

Real World Examples

A wonderful Japanese legend tells of a gardener who wanted to please his master, and diligently cleaned and pruned every plant in the garden, sweeping up until not a single leaf remained. He then shook the cherry tree, and its dry leaves fluttered to the ground, rendering the garden a perfect example of Wabi-Sabi.

A more mundane example would be a cozy living room with well-worn furniture, artifacts from various travel experiences, comfy throws over the sofa, and the aroma of dried lavender. Some simpler examples might include a favorite coffee mug with a crack and a chip, a wrinkled linen shirt in a beautiful color worn on a hot summer day, and a well-worn work tote bag.

Aging and Wabi-Sabi

Older age is an excellent time to embrace this philosophy, both personally and through one’s possessions. I think I’ve always been a Wabi-Sabi type because I never felt comfortable in a sterilized environment. My antique-dealer husband has elevated this awareness in me to great heights!

When we bought our first home together about 13 years ago, I remember being dazzled when I came home from work, and he had unearthed the most beautiful objects and artwork that he had in his “vaults” for years. Additionally, we both hover over photographs of every hotel room we are considering before choosing the ones that evoke “character.”

Currently, because of my embrace of Wabi-Sabi, I am so much more forgiving of the natural wear and tear of clothing, objects, and furniture around the house. Now, my first impulse is to restore, rather than discard, enjoying the process of turning the item into something of utility and beauty. I know that the current cheap manufacturing processes today make everything I own irreplaceable!

As I write this post, our 13-year-old wooden deck is being lovingly painted. The damaged wood was replaced, and the new wood was left to cure in the sun for a month. We chose this process, rather than having it renovated with the more utilitarian composite products available.

Wabi-Sabi and you!

Any aging woman can benefit from a shift in perspective when it comes to her appearance. Because I so clearly subscribe to the Wabi-Sabi philosophy, it has naturally been applied to my older self.

Embracing the key components of romanticizing nature, appreciating the “one of a kind,” and wincing at vain attempts to perpetuate youth, I am beginning to accept my stage in life and its physical manifestations. Negative thoughts about wrinkles, a soft belly, and diminishing physical prowess are now quickly labeled “Wabi-Sabi,” and I can move on. If I need a new article of clothing, I try the local resale shop first.

Although acceptance is still part of my daily practice, Wabi-Sabi allows me to simplify, enjoy old things, repair, and let go of perfection – including myself!

Renee Langmuir was an educator for 34 years in public schools and at the university level. After an unplanned retirement, Renee chronicled her transition to retirement through a series of personal essays. As challenges arose, research was done, and essays were penned, all helping her gain perspective in this new landscape. These reflections are housed on the website, https://www.therookieretiree.com. She writes from both a research and mindfulness basis. Renee is excited to receive your feedback and comments! Please contact her at [email protected].