MONO NO AWARE: THE GENTLE SADNESS OF THINGS
FEBRUARY 06, 2016 BY FAENA ALEPH
POSTED IN: INSPIRATION
The significance of the Japanese phrase mono no aware implores us to understand the transitory nature of things with a sense of beauty and finiteness.
The translation of aware as “sadness” is due more than anything to the lack of a better word, because the essence of aware suggests the experience of being deeply moved by emotions that can include joy and love, but which are always colored by the finite nature of things, or by pain. What better than cherry blossom to understand that concept?
The most frequently cited example of mono no aware in contemporary Japan is the traditional love for cherry blossom, manifested in the crowds that venture out each year to look at the Sakuras and have a picnic beneath them, and which are valued for their transitory nature. They usually begin to fall after flowering for a week and it is precisely the evanescence of their beauty that evokes the feeling of melancholy and joy of mono no aware in the observer.
Another great example (and which we especially recommend) is in the films of Ozu Yasujirō, considered the most “Japanese” of Japanese directors. In his work there are a series of memorable exercises that impeccably transmit mono no aware: Ozu expresses feelings through objects instead of actors. A jug placed in the corner of a room where a father and his son sleep; two fathers contemplating the rocks in a garden, their postures imitating the forms of the rocks, a mirror reflecting an absence… All are images that express the pathos of things.
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This has such a fragile tender beauty to it. I love this idea so beautifully expressed.
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Thank you ❤
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So beautiful, thank you for a lovely post!
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You’re welcome! I glad you enjoyed it ❤
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Thank you! The greiving process absolutely applies to the living as well as those who are no longer with us. It is hard when you have something that holds up the otherwise normal flow of things, people don’t always understand that and only want to move on and not bother with the shifts of changes that come with any type of illness.
Best to you
Rochelle
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I agree. It must be easier to just go with the flow than to put in the effort to shift with change. I think it’s something that those of us with illness get, we have to adjust to change. Thank you ❤
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PS. I am also grieving the living…my parents and siblings who I am estranged from. I understand the pain of unwanted separation from significant people. X
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I’m sorry to hear that… but glad that you can relate to the post. I love that I’m finding people who can understand the things I’m experiencing. Love to you ❤
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This is a fascinating post. I love it when I learn things by reading a blog. I love this whole impermenance concept…but have never heard that Japanese phrase. I’d like to write my own post based on this…but link back to your post if that’s OK 😊
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I’m glad you liked the post! And yes, you can certainly post your thoughts on this. I’m glad you were inspired and look forward to reading your post. Thank you ❤
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I’m not sure how wordpress works and if I will be notified when you publish your post… but will you let me know so I can be sure to read it? I’m really looking forward to seeing your take on the idea 🙂
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What an intriguing and complex phrase, and beautiful at the same time. I’m also sorry to hear you’re grieving the loss of your friend; I’ve lost some of those closest to me where this phrase would also apply, where you’re grieving the loss of someone alive who is still here, but who isn’t. Sending a hug your way. Thank you so much for sharing this, I’m Googling now to learn a little more.x
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Thank you. Yes, it’s hard to lose friends just because we are sick. I’m learning that it is sadly a fairly common theme. Thank you for your kind words, hug to you too ❤
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