Koren distills the essence out of the nebulous Japanese aesthetic concept Wabi-Sabi in clear concise manner. Evolving out of the tea ceremony, this complicated concept recognizes that in imperfection there is beauty.
Utilizing nature as inspiration, the aesthetic acknowledges that perfection is elusive in the natural world and as humans we should find splendor in the mundane and simple. For instance, appreciation in a scraggly ash tree is equally necessary as when looking at a 100 year old majestic oak.
The author peppers the narrative with numerous examples that ultimately imparts true understanding of the concept. Appealing to those with creative tendencies, the book goes beyond the arts to reach out to those interested in all things Japanese. Although the concept is difficult to understand and rather vague, Koren offers a valiant attempt that will entice readers to explore Wabi-Sabi further.
Patrick Hickey
3 March 2011
Review
