✅ The Wabi Sabi living trend - what is behind it?

Wabi Sabi - an aesthetic principle from Japan
Kintsugi - Bringing the broken to life
Living according to the Wabi Sabi principle

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It may sound banal to some that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but when it comes down to wabi sabi, it definitely hits the mark. Because this aesthetic concept from the old Japanese tradition is a kind of appreciation of imperfection and transience. A mental attitude that comes very close to minimalism and purism. What exactly is behind Wabi Sabi, where is it expressed and how can we introduce this principle of life as a living attitude in our own four walls? We try to answer all these questions in the following lines.

Wabi Sabi is not a real furnishing style, but a philosophy of life

Wabi Sabi - an aesthetic principle from Japan

One of the best formulations of the term wabi sabi is: enjoying imperfection. In other words, to appreciate the simplicity and naturalness in life and to act in accordance with it. What began as a new philosophical direction in Japan in the 16th century by some tea masters actually has its roots in the spiritual values and moral precepts of Zen Buddhism.

Wabi Sabi has evolved over time and spread into all kinds of areas of art and culture as well as living. Bonsai, Ikebana, Haiku and Kintsugi are just some of the most important ones.

A Harmonious Zen Feeling Through Wabi Sabi

Kintsugi - Bringing the broken to life

This art of putting broken pottery back into shape has existed in Japan for several centuries. Kintsugi is one of the practical expressions of the Wabi Sabi principle and is still highly valued as a traditional ceramic repair method today. Through a complex process, also called gold connection, the defectiveness becomes a completely new work of art, on which flaws are skilfully highlighted. The Japanese lacquer for kintsugi is called urushi and is applied in several layers. Depending on your wishes, silver or gold pigments are used and then beautifully polished. The result - fabulous new objects that celebrate the beauty of imperfection.

Japanese tea cup through Kintsugi Embellished

Kintsugi - Quick Start Guide in Pictures

Living according to the Wabi Sabi principle

First of all, you should generally focus on the essentials. Simply remove everything that is not being used but is only in the way. At this point, you can fully rely on the KonMari method of tidying up. Of course, high-quality favorite pieces can always remain and be beautifully presented. Heirlooms, valuable gifts and holiday souvenirs with a high emotional value have a clear priority. The same applies to home textiles. In addition, high-quality natural materials such as wool, cotton and linen in muted colors or in a used look are preferred at Wabi Sabi.

Rustic purism and wabi sabi often go hand in hand

The materials also go completely naturally. Stone, wood, ceramics and glass are very popular in the Wabi Sabi furnishing concept and ensure a cozy rustic feel that many feel extremely homely. The familiar feel and the handmade look complete the whole thing and provide even more Zen feeling in the room.

Natural materials and vintage flair are the be-all and end-all of the Wabi Sabi principle

Similar to upcycling, old and disused items are given a new life and often set up as valuable eye-catchers. The main difference here is that Wabi Sabi is not simply driven by sustainability, but above all by a profound aesthetic that is hidden in this traditional, Far Eastern attitude to life.

Imperfection is celebrated in every detail

So if you long for more serenity and simplicity in life, you can try the wabi sabi principle. Of course, this can not only be used in your own four walls, but in all other areas of life. Because it's not a strict collection of rules, but rather an intuitive attitude towards life that lets the soul rise to new, higher dimensions.

Skillfully staging the traces of time