Wabi-Sabi and Self-Isolation

A new piece inspired by a private artists group challenge on the theme of of the Japanese aesthetic concept of wabi-sabi. Though they are not easily translatable words, "wabi" originally referred to the loneliness of living in nature, remote from society, and "sabi" roughly meant "withered" or "lean". I find that most evocative for the state of the world in March, 2020.

I'm fortunate to have visited Tokyo twice while studying the modern Japanese martial art of Iaido (solo forms of traditional samurai sword techniques). It is truly stunning to see examples of wabi-sabi up close.

I couldn't resist the pun in the title as a gentle nod to the wry smiles I occasionally saw pass over the faces of some of my teachers. Something was amusing, to be sure, but also forever untranslatable.

https://noctilucentproductions.bandcamp.com/tr…/wabi-sobbing