wabi-sabi

[ wah-bee-sah-bee ]

noun

1. a Japanese aesthetic concept that finds beauty and serenity in objects, landscapes, designs, etc., that are simple, imperfect, and impermanent:

   It's the philosophy of wabi-sabi, which delights in the tarnish on an ancient silver bowl and the old uneven cobblestones.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wabi-sabi¹

First recorded in 1990–95; from Japanese

Example Sentences

The thing that has been sitting in my online shopping cart for months: This silver Ann Demeulemeester “Charliese” fingernail ring that sits above your top knuckle and looks like a wabi-sabi acrylic.

From Los Angeles Times

The team looked to Japanese wabi-sabi for the hotel interiors and used reclaimed wood for many of the finishes.

From Los Angeles Times

The thing that has been sitting in my online shopping cart for months: This silver Ann Demeulemeester “Charliese” fingernail ring that sits above your top knuckle and looks like a wabi-sabi acrylic.

From Los Angeles Times

“I believe in wabi-sabi,” she told him.

From Los Angeles Times

Some bright spots of the tour include gawking at the 6-foot-4 front door with its impressive stained glass tree and drippy lead edging, spotting the carved bats in the living room, admiring the custom wood furnishings and noticing a purposeful hint of “wabi-sabi,” or imperfection, in this highly designed home with Japanese influences.

From Los Angeles Times