Wabi-Sabi

QUOTE

Confucius once said…

“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”

(Chinese philosopher)

CONCEPT

Wabi-Sabi

Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese aesthetic and philosophical concept that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity.

Instead of seeking flawless perfection, Wabi-Sabi embraces the natural wear and tear of life—be it a cracked tea bowl or the changing color of autumn leaves—and perceives these signs of aging and impermanence as sources of warmth, authenticity, and depth.

It encourages an appreciation for the here and now, inviting us to cherish things (and moments) as they are rather than longing for what they might be.

STORY

All You Need Is … One?

In 16th-century Japan, the famed tea master Sen no Rikyū stood at the heart of a cultural shift. He was instrumental in shaping the Japanese tea ceremony—not as an ostentatious display of wealth but as an intimate ritual celebrating humility, nature, and transience.

His most famous patron, the powerful warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was known for his love of splendor.

On one occasion, Hideyoshi learned that Rikyū’s garden was filled with beautiful morning glories, a vibrant array of blossoms known for their fleeting existence. Hideyoshi, curious and eager to witness this famed floral display, announced that he would visit Rikyū’s teahouse, expecting to be dazzled by a glorious panorama of flowers in full bloom.

When Hideyoshi arrived, however, he was startled. The garden, once rumored to be overflowing with blooms, had been stripped bare—every single morning glory cut down except for one, carefully placed in the tearoom.

The sight was jarring.

Where he had anticipated abundance, he found emptiness. But then he noticed that single bloom, displayed in a humble vase, illuminated by soft, natural light. Its delicate petals curled gently at the edges, and a small imperfection along one leaf reminded him of how ephemeral its beauty truly was.

In that quiet space, as the aroma of tea leaves drifted through the room, Hideyoshi began to understand Rikyū’s lesson. The flower’s worth was not in overwhelming quantity or flashy perfection, but in its singular presence and impermanence.

Over time, our bodies gather lines and our lives gather stories, much like the lone flower in Rikyū’s garden. Wabi-Sabi teaches us that these signs of aging make us more human, more authentic.

The story of Rikyū and the morning glory reminds us to find meaning in each subtle moment, to recognize beauty not in grand perfection, but in the gentle, imperfect unfolding of life itself.