If wabi is a preference for very little in recognition of its unequaled abundance in the face of all else, then what is sabi?
According to Robyn Griggs Lawrence, in The Wabi-Sabi house: the Japanese Art of Imperfect Beauty , sabi means “the bloom of time.” Sabi implies an understanding that beauty and life are fleeting. Sabi is the grace of wear through the passage of time and use. Sabi is the appreciation of imperfections. Sabi is not about things of poor quality falling apart or leaving things in poor repair. Sabi is the carefully mended knee of a pant leg which is still in service.
Sabi is our lines, wrinkles, and weathered beauty.
Sabi is the waxed, worn, wooden arm of a chair.
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Sabi is rust through the oiled surface of a wood cook stove.
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Tomorrow I will put wabi and sabi together as in wabi-sabi.
Sprout Question: Does sabi have any part in your creativity?
p.s. I am away today and tomorrow. I will reply to sprout responses when I return.
© 2010 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.
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Creative Potager 
Sprout Question: Does sabi have any part in your creativity?
In a word, yes. The few things that are in my creative space (actually, in our entire home) have seasoned character — or as you so eloquently put it, weathered beauty.
I always enjoy your blogs Terrill, but have especially enjoyed the last two days of wabi sabi. Thank you.
Glad the past few blogs have been extra enjoyable Laurie. Thanks for stopping in and adding to the sprouts.
Sprout Question: Does sabi have any part in your creativity?
Yes, but my creative space tends to be a blending.
Very Beautiful posts, Terrill! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for coming by Antonia and commenting Antonia… by blending to you mean new and sabi together sharing the same space?
Hey, thank you for the shout-outs. I wrote The Wabi-Sabi House six years ago…and I believe the time is RIPE for this concept to go mainstream! I really enjoyed these posts and all the comments.
Robyn, I’m delighted that you found my blog and these posts referencing your work. Your book The Wabi-Sabi House is a favourite of mine. Is there anything that you would like to add to the discussion here which is essential to understanding wabi-sabi? Thank you for stopping by and making an unannounced guest appearance:) I’m thrilled!
Ohhh! I’m drawn to Sabi as well as Wabi! Sure do like learning these things about myself from your lovely post. Your photos are so lovely…as always! 🙂
Itaya I am so glad that these posts have been wonderful learning for you. And thank you for the kind words about the photos:)
During the process of making a painting, I allow (actually, I encourage) the layers to show, providing visual depth and a sense of time’s passage. Imperfection is part of the finished work, as the drip is an element I often utilize. And some of my gouache pieces looked weathered. I think this would be considered sabi.
Yes Stephanie that is correct (at least from my limited understanding anyway). Thanks for taking the time to reply to the sabi sprout question.
I think you all have this down! If you can find a copy of Leonard Koren’s “Wabi-Sabi for Artists and Philosophers,” it’s the bible. Thanks for letting me in on this conversation. Cheers!
Thanks Robyn, it is a pleasure to have you join in. And thank you for the additional resource. I have made it a live link for readers.
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Ha, it’s gorgeous, but I only remember her young, This is not the Ms
. Welsh I remember. She looked about 28 in my memory…
Diana, I think she was 34 years old at the time. I will look and see if I have a photograph that I can photograph again to get us a digital image and will let you know.