Wabi-sabi is a fabulously vague concept that means a myriad of things to many different people. So much so, in fact, that it’s very hard to find any kind of agreement on what objects are (or invariably aren’t) wabi-sabi. And as any real definition is equally unforthcoming, it’s all down to feelings rather than facts.
The kind of feeling it turns out that my mother-in-law immediately got from the scene below.
Yet while I can see where she’s coming from, to me it’s simply beautiful. An ambiguity, along with its very personal preferences, that in many ways makes the notion of wabi-sabi even more wonderful.
Lizzy says
Either way it’s a fantastic picture. 🙂
Lee says
Thanks Lizzy!
Scott says
A little slice of beauty. Thanks!
Lee says
Cheers Scott.
Oliver says
I think that you are both right…
It is the very simplicity of the scene that is so beautiful.
And the essence of it, so Wabi Sabi…
Lee says
That sounds like the perfect answer!
Tom O. says
Hey Lee.
Another fine pic.
What are some of the ways you’ve heard wabi-sabi interpreted?
One of the ones I like is, “the beauty of worn and rustic things/cultured poverty.”
Keep up the great work!
Lee says
Cheers Tom.
Lots of ways. That’s the fascinating thing about it. Imperfection in one way or another tends to be a constant though. But then it’s the kind of imperfection…
Matt says
I usually get a kind of shrug when I ask my wife to explain it to me. I guess there is no explaining somethings. Beautiful photo.
Lee says
I usually just get a disagreement! But yeah, it really does seem impossible to define.
winnie says
Can I say have a type of Zen-like feeling?
I love this picture!
Lee says
You certainly can Winnie. In fact it may even work better than wabi-sabi.
melon says
I thought wabi-sabi meant something along the lines of “imperfect things hold a lot of beauty”.
Like an old woman looks beautiful and natural with grey hair and wrinkles, even though our society favors a more youthful look.
I don’t know, either way nice pic.
Lee says
Cheers Melon. I think that definition works perfectly well, it’s just how each individual interprets it!
starduest says
I liked how it appears so still and calm, yet contains movement in the small stream of water
Lee says
Yeah, it was a beautiful little spot for sure, and one so small that unfortunately many people will probably miss it.