大象传媒

Jack Boswell explores the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and how it challenges our pursuit of perfection by embracing the beauty of imperfection and transience.

Joining him is Dr Takeshi Morisato, a lecturer in non-Western philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, who introduces the basics of Wabi Sabi - an art of acceptance that finds beauty in life鈥檚 flaws and incompleteness. Takeshi explains that Wabi Sabi offers a different perspective from the Western pursuit of happiness and perfection, instead teaching us to acknowledge life鈥檚 challenges without trying to erase them. Through this philosophy, we鈥檙e encouraged to see each experience, good or bad, as valuable in its own right.

Later in the episode, Jack speaks with Bonnie Kemske, a ceramic artist and Japanese tea ceremony practitioner, who delves into the practice of Kintsugi - the art of mending broken pottery with gold. Bonnie explains how Kintsugi embodies Wabi Sabi鈥檚 message - broken things aren鈥檛 simply discarded but are repaired in a way that highlights their unique history and resilience. Kintsugi invites us to honour what we鈥檝e endured, as the cracks in a pot are like marks from our own experiences, showing strength in their repaired beauty.

Through personal stories, Bonnie shares how the concepts of Wabi Sabi and Kintsugi can help us find meaning in pain and celebrate our resilience. She reflects on her journey through loss, relating how the practice of Kintsugi helped her accept grief as a part of her own history rather than a flaw to erase.

This episode invites listeners to find beauty in everyday moments and to embrace imperfections - both in the world around us and within ourselves - as a source of strength and comfort. Wabi Sabi offers a way to be more present and accepting, giving us the freedom to see our lives as ever-evolving works in progress.

Host: Jack Boswell
Producers: Leo Danczak & Emma Crampton
Senior Producer: Harry Stott
Executive Producer: Sandra Ferrari
Production Coordinator: James Cox
Audio Supervisor: Tom Biddle
Sound Editor: Alan Leer

A Message Heard production for 大象传媒 Radio 4