WabiSabi Pottery 侘寂 = 三法印 & 無常 & 苦

In traditional Japanese aesthetics, wabi-sabi (侘寂) is a world view centered on the acceptance of transience and imperfection. The aesthetic is sometimes described as one of appreciating beauty that is "imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete" in nature. It is a concept derived from the Buddhist teaching of the three marks of existence (三法印, sanbōin), specifically impermanence (無常, mujō), suffering (苦, ku) and emptiness or absence of self-nature (空, kū).

Characteristics of wabi-sabi aesthetics and principles include asymmetry, roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, intimacy, and the appreciation of both natural objects and the forces of nature.

Years ago my husband and I discovered that the university art school routinely throws away unclaimed art at the end of semester. We found dozens of small trial pots ranging from 1 inch to 4 inches across.

Through the years I've used these for displaying art, stones, moss and small plants, and as offering bowls to the household gods. Though an atheist, I find the idea of offering small gifts to nature, to the kitchen, the bed, the bath, etc. a strangely soothing embrace of past traditions. A mere nod to tradition, it is an aesthetic which I have repeated as an act of artistic creation.

Recently we have begun some much needed repairs to our porches. Two years of medical mishaps and general mayhem have meant some aspects of our daily life were set aside for times of more energy and concentration. Knock on the peeling porch wood, this is the year we catch up.

I began repainting some of the outdoor furniture: the chairs, tables, plant stands, etc. The easiest method has been with a spray can of all purpose, all surface paint. Glossy black, matte mocha latte brown, and hammered copper colors have been added and I was left with the remnants of the cans. I tried out the colors on the porches. I find I am quite over white porches and the constant repainting each year. However trying these new colors in odd spots on the back porch has led to the revelation that black and brown are much too hot to the touch for anything other than floors. Sadly, the porch railing will remain white. The floors, covered in rugs, look to have several coats of a glossy black porch paint in their future.

Still I was left with yet more spray paint. I grabbed several of the tiny pots and began randomly painting with swirls and misting motion, some a solitary color, others a blend. I have no idea if these will find a use other than the obvious: art for art's sake. I am pleased with the differences and think I might try this again when a spray can is left with the smallest amount after a project.