Friday, January 25, 2013

Wabi-Sabi


Wabi-sabi  represents a  Japanese aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection -- finding beauty in the worn wood of a much-used staircase, the last faded rose, or, in this case, a trio of raspberry leaves.

I posted  this picture a few days ago and something about it captivated me -- it's now my screen saver/ wallpaper and it seems to me that it says something about life (and, thinking of yesterday's post, the three ages of Man) -- the old giving way to the new . . .  the little sprig of pale green new growth on top of a mature leaf  . . .

That sprig sits atop an older, tattered leaf. I notice that the two older leaves have much more interesting color.  I notice too how the shadows of the older leaves show up on the younger.
And those holes in the oldest leaf -- to me they seem like openings into eternity.

The image of the three leaves is a poem waiting to happen.

For more about wabi-sabi, go HERE.
 
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15 comments:

Ms. A said...

I think I have a whole lot of Wabi-Sabi! Probably enough to share with those who might be lacking.

Martin said...

Great post, Vicki. The product of someone who has taken some time to stand and stare.

Brian Miller said...

ah it is a poem in itself..and def a story to be told...pretty cool....

Vicki Lane said...

Hee hee, Ms. A! Me too!

Barbara Rogers said...

What a great collection of pics...really good display of a philosophy. Do you know Brad Stroman's paintings? I've been recording the ending of my Amaryllis blooms, just like the beginnings...same thoughts.

Kath said...

As always, just beautiful. And thank you for the education on Wabi-Sabi!

Suz said...

beautiful thoughts

Miss_Yves said...

Beautifu!
A kind of wisdom which recalls the painting of Vanity

Miss_Yves said...

http://petitnuagemyblog.blogspot.fr/2012/12/lempreinte-du-dernier-jour-dautomne.html

Vicki Lane said...

Thank you, Miss Yves - beautiful examples of wabi-sabi on the link.

Stella Jones said...

Extremely pretty shapes and colours. No wonder you are captivated.

NCmountainwoman said...

Wow! I got totally into the link and almost forgot to come back. I had no idea one of my favorites Leonard Cohen had once been a monk. Wabi-Sabi indeed!

Frances said...

Vicki, just before I had to get myself into going to work gear this morning, I caught a glimpse of your very first wabi-sabi photo, and thought, save this for later, when you get home from work.

What a treat I have given myself this evening, as New York does get a bit of meaningful snowfall, to see all your truly beautiful photographs and to have time to contemplate a bit of what wabi-sabi might be about.

I find it very comforting, as an "ex-pat" Southerner, to realize that folks as sensitive and talented as you do live not far from where I was raised.

Dare I consider moving south as I do get even older?

xo

Vicki Lane said...

NC Mountainwoman -- I think that Leonard Cohen song must have been playing in my subconscious...

Frances -- I think that the South has always been into wabi-sabi -- we just called it 'patina' or taking care of family history. You might be surprised at some of us folks down here...

Barbara R -- I don't know Stroman but will look for his work.

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