Wabi-Sabi Mood

Wabi-sabi, the ancient Japanese philosophy that embraces imperfection, lies at the heart of the country’s artistic and societal traditions. Today, however, it is being diluted—both by modernity and the mass-market home décor industry, which reduces it to a fleeting lifestyle trend.

The authors, through their encounter with architect Kengo Kuma, illustrate his vision of modern wabi-sabi—a philosophy adapting to contemporary contexts without losing its essence. Their travels across India, Europe, Morocco, and throughout the Japanese archipelago have revealed the subtle but powerful global influence of wabi-sabi. Along the way, they met a new generation committed to preserving and renewing this aesthetic: the new ambassadors of wabi-sabi.