In this thatched hut, there ought not to be a speck of dust of any kind; both master and visitors are expected to be on terms of absolute sincerity; no ordinary measures of proportion, etiquette, or conventionalism are to be followed.
― Sen no Rikyu
When thinking of Japanese culture, many of us have come across the term wabi-sabi. Although hard to define in literal terms, wabi-sabi is a Japanese philosophical concept centered on the acceptance of transience and the appreciation of beauty in imperfection. It is carried throughout many aspects of Japanese culture. From art to architecture, literature, poetry, nature, design, Japanese gardens, and one of the places it’s seen most – the tea ceremony.
How do we define wabi-sabi?
Many terms used in the tea ceremony are hard to define. It is often a feeling or a knowing and must be experienced by the person rather than learned about.
In Japanese, the word wabi initially spoke of the loneliness experienced when living in nature, while sabi could mean chill, lean, or withered.
Overall wabi-sabi can be described using three words: imperfection, impermanence, and incompletion.
This definition is tied together with the Buddhist teachings of the three marks of existence: impermanence, suffering, and non-self.
How Does Wabi-Sabi Relate to the Japanese Tea Ceremony?
In the 16th century, a significant shift happened in the world of the Japanese tea ceremony. Before this era, the tea ceremony was about lavishness and luxury. Tea ceremony masters chose to change these ideals, in turn, prizing items with a used, rugged appearance and finding beauty in rustic simplicity. This shift in belief is closely tied to the concept of wabi-sabi, which is still valued in Japanese ceremony today.
Instead of using abundant and luxurious decorations, people started looking towards plain-looking things found in nature. No more grand bouquets crowding the room. Instead, a simple ikebana arrangement consisting of one or two seasonal flowers is found. The teaware doesn’t boast bright colors but instead features more muted, natural tones: browns, greens, and greys.
The teaware isn’t perfectly sculpted and symmetrical. Instead, it is rugged, rough to the touch, sometimes chipped and repaired. The potter often deliberately makes the tea bowls this way, highlighting the perfection of imperfection.
Why The Rustic Simplicity?
The answer is simple. Without the extra distractions, we can enjoy tea in the purest way. Just us and the tea. Surrounded by simplicity in every form, we can experience the tea freely. Communicate with the tea slowly, admiring all of its subtleties. While having nothing but the bare minimum, we can appreciate it to the fullest.
Let’s Experience Wabi-Sabi Through Tea
We can easily try this on our own without going to a tea house in Japan.
In our own home, we can find a quiet room or corner. Decorate it simply, or perhaps remove some things that are crowding the space and mind. With less clutter, we allow new experiences to enter. Setting up a space to fit the philosophy of wabi-sabi will remind us of one of its major concepts: impermanence, acceptance of transience. This setup will soon flee, so we might as well stay in the moment and enjoy it to its fullest.
Now we can take a sip of our tea and see if we notice anything new or anything different. Do we begin to notice more?
To read more about the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, click here.
