Such an interesting piece! And hooray, Leanne, for going to San Francisco to see the painting! The anticipation of viewing must have been a nearly indescribable state of mind. I'm happy for you that you saw it. I remember your discussion of yugen in a previous piece. And Koren's books are gems in themselves. FWIW I have multiple drafts of a little poem about the persimmon; I stumbled leaving it unfinished because I was trying to describe an experience of something that always seemed to verge on the "ah ha!" of insight , but then disappeared like a vapor without leaving any trace. Huh . . . if I'm lucky, I'll find the poem and begin to understand it now that I've seen this painting. . . .
In tea, wabi-sabi sometimes feels like an artificial concept to me (like bushido) because it's hyped up so much even though it's so hard to grasp. I might need to read up more. Mononoke is another hard to explain word, isn't it? They didn't even translate it for the famous Ghibli film.
Mono is very ancient and like a haunting. Very hard to translate or think about compared to “Koto” and Wabi Sabi is like you said not really a thing… how are you? How is Tokyo?
I cannot wait to hear about it. I have never been to Mount Koya and it’s a deep regret I have course I suppose I can always travel back to Japan and try to see it. I can’t wait to hear about it! Have you read Marie Mutsuki mockery’s wonderful book where the dead pause?
I've just started reading Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese say Goodbye it's amazing. I've also got Picking Bones from Ash to read too (although I might try and keep that for my trip to Japan). Great recommendation thank you.
I am so happy you like it! I also really recommend Water, Wood and Wild Things by Hannah Kirshner if you haven't already--for Kanazawa. (There is a novel by David Joiner called Kanazawa that I have heard wonderful things about but haven't read it yet.) I also loved the Bells of Tokyo!!
He really does and I have tried to look him up over the years and it seems like he’s not fluent in the language although he did study tea ceremony but I don’t know how he attained such an intuitive grasp of this word if he didn’t live in Japan for a long time. Even now rereading the books I’m just blown away by how he captured it so beautifully. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Oh and I was going to say that I love the second volume almost more. He does a deep dive into the way that the compound word was kind of it invented or emerged very recently and that was really interesting to think about because I don’t think I ever really heard the word Wabisabi said the whole time I was in Japan but I definitely heard Wabie alone and Sabi alone a lot.
Somehow the word 'raw' comes to mind, not in a negative sense, but in the sense of origin, something or somewhere that has not been polished or refined. For instance, wood that retains its course surface where it's been cut. What I love about that painting is that no effort has been made to refine the view of those persimmons beyond their size abd shape--only a sample of their variable shades of tone. A hint of perspective places them in space. I'm sure it was worth the trip to see.
It is raw and natural. And it’s something that appreciates happenstance for example in the kiln if a wood chip hits the clay and makes a mark or something like that. There’s a dignity in simple things and humble things. The trip was really really worth it. I’m going to write about it at three quarks daily on Monday some of the details but it was really something incredible.
This one is a must, if you haven't read it yet--I loved this book so much-- it's not Kanazawa but close. https://www.kyotojournal.org/uncategorized/savoring-the-artisans-life-in-a-japanese-mountain-town/
I enjoyed your review! Inspiring book.
Have you come across this https://japaneselit.net/
No I have not! It looks fantastic. Are you going to get it?
Might do. She does a great Japanese lit blog. It’s where I often find my next read. Also Japan Society book club.
I would love to know what you think of it if you read it and I’m going to put it on my radar! Thanks!
Loved it. More! More!
Oh!!!!!! So happy to see you here xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
Many thanks for this. I’d like to think your erudition is contagious! How wonderful you were able to go and view the exhibit 🥰
I was really filled with gratitude after I saw the picture. Those little persimmons melted my heart.
Such an interesting piece! And hooray, Leanne, for going to San Francisco to see the painting! The anticipation of viewing must have been a nearly indescribable state of mind. I'm happy for you that you saw it. I remember your discussion of yugen in a previous piece. And Koren's books are gems in themselves. FWIW I have multiple drafts of a little poem about the persimmon; I stumbled leaving it unfinished because I was trying to describe an experience of something that always seemed to verge on the "ah ha!" of insight , but then disappeared like a vapor without leaving any trace. Huh . . . if I'm lucky, I'll find the poem and begin to understand it now that I've seen this painting. . . .
Persimmons are so cute. I do love his books too. He has one about a flower shop in Vienna ❤️
I can’t wait to read and sing the poem someday!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
In tea, wabi-sabi sometimes feels like an artificial concept to me (like bushido) because it's hyped up so much even though it's so hard to grasp. I might need to read up more. Mononoke is another hard to explain word, isn't it? They didn't even translate it for the famous Ghibli film.
Mono is very ancient and like a haunting. Very hard to translate or think about compared to “Koto” and Wabi Sabi is like you said not really a thing… how are you? How is Tokyo?
Yes Tokyo, Kyoto, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, Osaka and Mount Koya. ❤️
I cannot wait to hear about it. I have never been to Mount Koya and it’s a deep regret I have course I suppose I can always travel back to Japan and try to see it. I can’t wait to hear about it! Have you read Marie Mutsuki mockery’s wonderful book where the dead pause?
I've just started reading Where the Dead Pause and the Japanese say Goodbye it's amazing. I've also got Picking Bones from Ash to read too (although I might try and keep that for my trip to Japan). Great recommendation thank you.
I am so happy you like it! I also really recommend Water, Wood and Wild Things by Hannah Kirshner if you haven't already--for Kanazawa. (There is a novel by David Joiner called Kanazawa that I have heard wonderful things about but haven't read it yet.) I also loved the Bells of Tokyo!!
Have you read The Abundance of Less by Andy Courterier I loved that too. Similar to Water Wood and Wild Things
Yes, I loved it too!
Oh yes I already have Water Wood and Wild Things and Bells of Tokyo both fantastic but I will track down the David Joiner book.
I’ve just looked up that book. Wow. That’s going on my list!
No I haven’t read that. Sounds interesting.
Beautiful painting. Leonard Koren really captures wabi sabi well.
He really does and I have tried to look him up over the years and it seems like he’s not fluent in the language although he did study tea ceremony but I don’t know how he attained such an intuitive grasp of this word if he didn’t live in Japan for a long time. Even now rereading the books I’m just blown away by how he captured it so beautifully. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
Oh and I was going to say that I love the second volume almost more. He does a deep dive into the way that the compound word was kind of it invented or emerged very recently and that was really interesting to think about because I don’t think I ever really heard the word Wabisabi said the whole time I was in Japan but I definitely heard Wabie alone and Sabi alone a lot.
I’ve not read the second volume but it sounds like I need to. I’m off to Japan this spring. Can’t wait!
Will you be going to Tokyo?
Wonderful!! Spring is so beautiful.
Somehow the word 'raw' comes to mind, not in a negative sense, but in the sense of origin, something or somewhere that has not been polished or refined. For instance, wood that retains its course surface where it's been cut. What I love about that painting is that no effort has been made to refine the view of those persimmons beyond their size abd shape--only a sample of their variable shades of tone. A hint of perspective places them in space. I'm sure it was worth the trip to see.
It is raw and natural. And it’s something that appreciates happenstance for example in the kiln if a wood chip hits the clay and makes a mark or something like that. There’s a dignity in simple things and humble things. The trip was really really worth it. I’m going to write about it at three quarks daily on Monday some of the details but it was really something incredible.
Lovely painting and so good to learn more about wabi sabi. ❤️
The painting is a marvel!
I don't doubt it!
I love this post AND the painting. I would totally drive all that way to see it!
It was intense to be in the car 11 hours but it was totally, totally worth it!
That translation was quite good. And an excellent choice for the topic at hand.
Thank you!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoox
I look forward to reading this when I have a lull in unpacking, Leanne!