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| a precious swatch of vintage Japanese katazome |
Happy New Year (almost), fellow quilting bloggers....
I have been thinking for some time about a fresh blogging start, so here it is, why not today?
What is wabi-sabi?
Wabi-sabi is an elusive Japanese concept and I could spend a lifetime pursuing an understanding of it.
It is an appreciation for natural or hand crafted things, and the beautiful patina which develops over time. It is an appreciation for the natural, transient nature of things.
Recently, we used an original 1740's floorboard as the face of our mantle during our kitchen renovation:
In quilting terms, think hand made... faded with age and use... vintage... soft, simple, humble, authentic, unique. When I think about the quilts I most love - utilitarian, quirky, beautiful, warm, modest - I am led to think "wabi-sabi." Often when I finish a quilt, I think "this quilt will be even better after lots of use and about 100 washings."
xo
Cynthia
Happy New Year (almost) to you too! Wabi-sabi is new to me but I think your explanation is brilliant and a fantastic name for a fresh blog! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for finding me here! Happy New Year to you too. Wabi-sabi is really impossible to define but it is fun trying!
DeleteHi Cynthia, Welcome back to blogging. I love the notion of wabi-sabi especially as applied to slow quilting with lots of hand stitching.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to your posts.
Thanks! I agree - there's nothing like hand stitching!
DeleteHappy to follow you over here and continue to be inspired by your enthusiasm and lovely work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Catherine! I continue to be inspired by your "slow" blogging too!
DeleteIt is now 27 hours left of 2014 here in Tokyo so I can also wish you (almost) a Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI can see that even when you start a new blog it is devoted to Japanese things and philosophy! Yes, everything has a beauty if we only learn to see it.
Queenie - how true - finding beauty is all in the noticing. Thanks for following me over to this new space!
DeleteHappy New Year–nearly! I love your description of wabi sabi, and share your appreciation for the obviously handmade. Perhaps part of its beauty is that such items are created unselfconsciously and not with the taste of the greater buying public in mind? No matter how beautiful, or expertly and well made an expensive shop bought quilt is, it can never be truly personal. While something made by hand– often because of all its idiosyncrasies–seems so much more heartfelt.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - happy new year to you too! And thank you for this thoughtful comment. So well put!
ReplyDeleteWabi Sabi What a warm and wonderful concept! The mantle piece is stunning and the quilt is one I'd just love to wrap myself up into and snuggle with your cute dog!!
ReplyDeleteOh and now it is the New Year so Happy Happy to everyone in Blogland!!
What a fitting name! I'm working my way back through your old posts to discover you here. What a great new beginning!
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