An updated version of the 1994 classic volume on the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
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"Perfectly conveys the Zen simplicity and stillness." -NAPRA Review -- NAPRA Review
"Perfectly conveys the Zen simplicity and stillness." -NAPRA Review -- Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Perfectly conveys the Zen simplicity and stillness." -NAPRA Review -- Review --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From the Author
thoughtfulness
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More About the Author
Leonard Koren, trained as an artist and architect, writes books about design and aesthetics. Koren has consulted about aesthetics- and design-related issues for Sottsass Associati, Axel Vervoordt, American Standard, Toto, Condé Nast, General Mills, Mujirushi Ryohin (Muji), Panasonic, Shiseido, Sony and other companies.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
270 of 276 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As a graphic designer, I was very intrigued by the title of this book, and the philosophies contained inside, so I decided to give the book a shot. This is the type of book you blaze through in about 30 minutes, but will most likely want to keep for a lifetime as inspiration. Reason? Because there simply isn't another book of it's tone or mission.
The essence of Wabi-Sabi is that true beauty, whether it comes from an object, architecture or visual art, doesn't reveal itself until the winds of time have had their say. A cracked pot, for example, has an essence that a perfectly round pot is lacking. Beauty is in the cracks, the worn spots, and the imperfect lines.
As a graphic designer, Wabi-Sabi is the antithesis of what I pursue every day -- perfection in my typography, layout, tight invisible Swiss inspired gridlines, etc. Mathematical symmetry is an unshakeable mission for many in my profession, and the ancient philosophies of Wabi-Sabi rip a hole in the side of it.
I enjoy owning the book as a reminder that nothing in life, or design, is perfect. The very essence of life, work, art and nature is free of right angles, and chaos reigns supreme.
126 of 131 people found the following review helpful
By Jeremy Lowe
Format:Paperback
I agree with all the good things said about this book; it is a deceptively short, simple book with potent content.
However, I feel something should be mentioned. This is a book primarily about appreciating wabi-sabi (about finding it or seeing it out in the world), not so much about creating it. Koren describes wabi-sabi almost as a result of karma, or at least as a process in which the artist/designer has little impact. You can perhaps record it, but there's very little direct discussion of how to create wabi-sabi objects yourself (other than mention of sweaters made with randomly placed holes).
This certainly doesn't take away from the book or reduce its value to artists and designers (seeing wabi-sabi and appreciating it is key to understanding, which in turn helps you use the concepts in your own work). I just feel the book's title is a bit misleading.
What I would like to see (because I feel it is lacking in this book) is ideas on how artists might cultivate mistakes and accidents. Or take advantage of time and wear-n-tear. Or how artists use becoming/decaying metaphors. Just in general I would like to see more on wabi-sabi as it applies to the creation of things, rather than the appreciation of wabi-sabi in things that already exist.
So this is a great book, but I think there's another great book on this subject that needs to be made.
161 of 173 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have studied Japanese tea ceremony in Kyoto for 23 years and during that time read almost everything published in English on the subject. This book is a real pearl, and covers in all its shortness the subject so well, that you hardly need any other information to transform your life into something more beautiful and meaningful.
It is a must for people directly involved with tea and Japanese aesthetics. It is a clear spring of sweet water that will quench the thirst of everyone. It is a source of inspiration, that can be integrated into any culture and be actively expressed in your own life style.
Read it and feel inspired to do something great and good, not only for yourself, but for all you know, for nature and our common future on this earth.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good effort
Maybe it"s just the nature of wabi sabi that it's simply very hard to put a satisfying definition into words. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J. Simon
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beauty in the imperfect
I liked the book overall. The simplicity of the book itself went with the theme. I am a visual person and would have liked to see the pictures in color, although this may have... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kara Duquette
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brief but Fascinating Introduction to Wabi-Sabi
I was surprised at the brevity of this book, though not disappointed by it, as it made for a very concise read. I got through it in just an hour or two. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Leonard Kirke
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring little book
This is a wonderful little book for discussing different guidelines for living, and how Wabi-Sabi can be related to all things, and in this way all things can be considered art. Read more
Published 4 months ago by T.R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
response to Amazon's query regarding the four books received.
The books came quickly amd were just what I wanted. Thank you for promptness as well. Later, I wanted to order three more and became involved in a contest of wits with your system... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Denise D'Aoust
2.0 out of 5 stars
If less-is-more, then the book is a good example of wabi-sabi
The Japanese are famous for insisting that the nuances of their culture and language cannot really be conveyed or translated. Most cultures would say the same. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Robert P. Allen
3.0 out of 5 stars
no wasabi wabi-sabi
some how wanted more -- expected more . . . It was either not long enough, or too long, if you see how I mean . . . there must be some other book . . . I'll be looking . . .
Published 7 months ago by David Matthews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wabi-Sabi
Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers came in just a few days for regular shipping and was in brand new condition. The package was basic manila with bubble wrap. Read more
Published 12 months ago by SunshineShopgirl
5.0 out of 5 stars
Balanced
This book is wonderful! Great for any artist, writer or philosopher interested in the Japanese culture. Read more
Published 12 months ago by For the Artist
4.0 out of 5 stars
Context is everything
The author described this book (in another one of his books called "13 Books") as a rare, serendipitous project where all the pieces coalesced into the best and most... Read more
Published 13 months ago by J.L.
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