Suki Wabi Sabi

September 5, 2012 — Japanese, sabi, suki, tenets, wabi

Three Japanese tenets….

Suki: Subtle elegance. The attraction of the idiosyncratic or unusual. The primitive monk, a mysterious object, an obscure agricultural tool. Suki is the fascination exerted by the unknown and unfamiliar.

Wabi: Tranquil simplicity. The intrinsic quality of colours and materials, forms and textures. Plain clay pots, woven baskets, a shell pendant. Wabi is the spirit of poverty, appreciation of the commonplace, the fine line which precariously separates beauty from shabbiness.

Sabi: Patina of age. The enhancement of the ravages of time. The castle ruin, the armless statue. Subi is when age, wear and tear, bring something to the very threshold of demise.

We like this.

Have a curious day.