Mark Reibstein: Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi, a little cat in Kyoto, Japan, had never thought much about her name until friends visiting from another land asked her owner what it meant. At last, the master says, "That's hard to explain." And that is all she says. This unsatisfying answer sets Wabi Sabi on a journey to uncover the meaning of her name, and on the way discovers what wabi sabi is: a Japanese philosophy of seeing beauty in simplicity, the ordinary, and imperfection. Using spare text and haiku, Mark Reibstein weaves an extraordinary story about finding real beauty in unexpected places. Caldecott Medal-winning artist Ed Young complements the lyrical text with breathtaking collages. Together, they illustrate the unique world view that is wabi sabi. Wabi Sabi is a unique picture book that clearly explains a new way of seeing the world to readers.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• award
• book
• brown
• caldecott
• children
• discovery
• hachette
• japanese
• knowledge
• little
• novel
• reibstein
• sabi
• wabi
• winning

[arbide3]

One reason for the existence of Wabi Sabi pottery is because somethings can not be expressed through words as words in themselves are Wabi Sabi.

I think maybe instead of asking someone in Japan to explain what Wabi Sabi is, maybe better to ask them to SHOW you what it is.

You cannot be TOLD what it is.

[BrokenDarkFire]

Wabi sabi... I've been thinking in terms of this philosophy lately, wandering the sidewalks and streets of my city, collecting broken glass and cigarettes, and not knowing that there was a way to define my line of thinking. I really want this book now.

[JulieShanti]

Beautiful! Thank you for this whole presentation -- book, art, writer, artist, and kitty! ♥

[dogdutyascetic]

Wabi-Sabi is such an amazing concept. It captures something of the spirit of the Buddhist aesthetic for life. Nice video. I like the comment above about how peaceful and warm this notion feels. Such a relief from the perfection of Western notions of beauty, which I find so oppressive in comparison to Wabi-Sabi.

[bbphoto1]

I am giving this book to my best friends 5 year old daughter. I hope it inspires her to see the beauty in the ordinary and disregarded,

[bryanbhu]

Lovely. The feelings I ended up with watching this is hard to explain in words, but it feels great, peaceful and warm. Almost like a longing. Good short video.

[dmsr99]

lovely presentation. i can't wait to get the book for classroom library.

[yennjarrrrr]

wow, thanks!!