Artfully Ooglebloops: Tea on Tuesday

A friend emailed me yesterday, about an article in this week's Woman's Day magazine. It was something new to me - wabi sabi. I was intrigued!!!

No having that magazine at hand, I googled the term to see what it was all about. The subject seems a perfect fit for Tea on Tuesday!!!

Wabi sabi is the Japanese art of a simpler life, free of clutter, both physical and mental. Finding peace and tranquility in a simple life, with less material possessions - kind of Thoreau-esque! Taking pleasure in the simple things-something we probably don't do enough of in this hectic world we inhabit!

Wabi means harmony, peace, and balance. Sabi means a patina that comes with age.

Tea seems to play a part in attaining wabi sabi. The 4 principles of tea are:
Harmony (wa)
Respect (kei)
Purity (sei)
Tranquility(jaku)

There are many books available on Wabi Sabi - I've put up links to a couple of good ones. I apologize for the double link - haven't quite figured out how to remove it!!! Quite annoying!!!

So, sit back and relax with your favorite cup of tea, and enjoy this video on youtube - a series of peaceful photos, bringing the feeling of wabi sabi to life.......

And, be sure to visit Kimmie and Patty for more tea postings and links to the other Tea on Tuesdays!!!

9 comments:

UnknownApril 12, 2010 at 6:53 PM
I bought the Leonard Koren book after Lumilyon told me about wabi sabi a while back - it's fascinating - and is a huge part of the tea ceremony. I'm glad to see you this Tea on Tuesday .... and I'm so sorry about Miss Lilly ....
(((hugs)))) Kimmie
Bleubeard and ElizabethApril 12, 2010 at 9:33 PM
I thought I missed this from last week. Glad to see that Kimmie's post had the date and I was just early, not late.

I remember getting the Leonard Koren book from the library and one phrase really stuck with me, although I can't quote it verbatim. It had to do with reason being subordinate to perception. I'm not sure why that phrase stuck with me, but I guess it's because I always considered reason to be a higher function than perception. Guess that is the scientist in me.

This is a great post. You picked an excellent Tea Tuesday topic.

BTW, I really must check out Elfi Cella's blog. What an amazing photo you showed.
BadPennyApril 13, 2010 at 3:21 AM
thank you - I'll check it out right now ( drinking coffee !!!! )
ooglebloopsApril 13, 2010 at 5:02 AM
The Leonard Koren book looked the best to me- there was another that seemed really good - The Wabi Sabi House by Robin Griggs Lawrence @ wabisabihouse.com. Her theory of simplify and tranquility appealed to me- tea vs Starbucks;a simple tree branch vs a commercial flower arrangement; flea markets vs shopping mall; a piece of simple, and maybe imperfect pottery, hand thrown by a craftsman vs a made in China bowl from Target!
~*~Patty SzymkowiczApril 13, 2010 at 7:12 AM
I resemble Sabi ;)
Lennie has a good eye for interesting bits doesn't she! Wabi Sabi is something I would like to look into again. Thanks for the book recommendations...nice tea post today!
oxo
AnonymousApril 13, 2010 at 7:31 AM
Great tea post, I must go to the library and get a book or two to read more, it is so intriguing! Lennie
Odd ChickApril 13, 2010 at 11:18 AM
this was fascinating and I enjoyed learning about the word. it seems a good fit for many of my paintings!
DianneApril 13, 2010 at 5:44 PM
I'm definitely going to have to check out those books... I am a firm believer that shedding material possessions once in a while is extremely freeing... I have to simplify my life once in a while to stay sane... I'd love to live that way all the time... unfortunately simple living isn't that simple any more....
ArtPropelledApril 19, 2010 at 4:40 AM
I'm a great believer in Wabi Sabi and have Living Wabi Sabi. Its time I read it again.