What is Wabi-Sabi? The History Behind This Japanese Philosophy

The Japanese design aesthetic known as wabi-sabi is all about embracing simplicity and imperfection in the world around us. It’s about appreciating the beauty of everyday wear; honoring the spaces and objects that are lived in and worn with love.

This philosophy hit home for me in a very personal way. While sourcing new products for Asher + Rye, I found myself losing sight of items that I loved seeing on a day-to-day basis. I lost the ability to style anything that wasn’t shiny and new — an admittedly exhausting and unattainable approach to design. 

When I discovered wabi-sabi, it dawned on me that interior design doesn’t have to be — and often shouldn’t be — perfect. You should keep older items that you love; that function in your everyday life. I went through phases of buying everything “new,” and I wish that I had held on to some of those older pieces. Your home is unique to you and should reflect the stage of life that you’re presently in. Before I was a designer, I was a thrifty dweller.

Considering the important role that wabi-sabi plays, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the history of the design aesthetic and the important role it plays in sustainability, connectivity, and balance. 

What is Wabi-Sabi? A Brief History 

With roots in Chinese Zen Buddhism, the story of wabi-sabi can be traced back to a 16th-century Japanese legend about Sen no Rikyu and his tea master, Takeeno Joo. The tale tells how, upon his master’s request,  Rikyu cleaned and raked the garden to perfection. As a final touch, he shook the cherry tree to allow flower petals to fall haphazardly around the immaculate landscaping. 

Today, wabi-sabi is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture; so much so that it can be difficult to define in just a few words. The philosophy shuns lavishness and opulence while embracing imperfection and authenticity. While there is no literal translation that can fully encapsulate its meaning, the term can be broken down as follows:

Wabi: Things that are fresh, simple, and incorporate rustic beauty.

Sabi: Things that are touched by the beauty of a time-worn patina.

Wabi-sabi is not slick, modern, shiny, or new. It’s a quirky flea market find, an antique family heirloom, or an aged wooden floor. It’s about simplicity, natural beauty, and a perfectly imperfect feel.

Wabi-Sabi: Sustainable Design

What I love about wabi-sabi goes well beyond its aesthetic nature as it delves into the world of sustainable design. The environment is in peril, and it’s only going to get worse if we don’t do something about it. Wabi-sabi, in its own way, can help lighten the load. 

By adding in and holding onto older pieces, we’re giving something back to the Earth in a small way. It’s okay that it’s not “on trend” if keeping it means there is one less thing going into a dumpster and one less thing being produced. It also means choosing items that will stand the test of time; purchasing investment pieces that you can pass on to your children that will only get better with age.

Embracing the Wabi-Sabi Aesthetic 

Long before I coveted “newness” or even heard of wabi-sabi, I felt a connection to things and places with a history. Growing up, we always lived in older houses, and I remember one in particular in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was an old boarding house located on the water, and it had the most beautiful light. It was connected to the community, and it’s that connection that has stuck with me throughout time. 

The house wasn’t shiny or new, but thinking of it brings me joy, even to this day. And that’s the beauty of wabi-sabi; of appreciating something that might not appear perfect, yet it feels perfect and balanced to you. Whether it’s the candle on your grandmother’s chest of drawers, your first grown-up bed, or an old boarding house in Connecticut, it’s important to stay rooted in authenticity, embrace the phases in your life, and appreciate things as they are. 

– Joel