Wabi-Sabi Fukinsei for your home – Enjoy being imperfect

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Written By ms

Best of home decor ideas with Wabi-Sabi Fukinsei – Discover Japan’s art of Bonsai and Ikebana and how it can make your home more comfortable.

Wabi-Sabi Fukinsei is one of the seven principles of Japanese aesthetics. Wabi-Sabi offers us a total of 7 principles- Kanso, Fukinsei, Shibumi, Shizen, Yugen, Datsuzoku and Seijaku. Here, in this post, we are sharing all about Fukinsei – meaning Asymmetry or Irregularity.

Yes, we are talking about the mess, the imperfection, or chaos in our lives, and our home. Just for a moment, look around yourself – at the place you are at – maybe a room, or perhaps outdoors. Do you find everything in order, in perfect beauty? Most likely, you won’t. You see, our lifestyle, the way of our living creates a sort of chaos. Think about your typical day. Throughout our day, you move things around, use them and also replace them. Count all the items you use in a day – from the breakfast cup to hair combs, brushes and the dinner plates. The fact is that our world is full of things that we need. And in using the many material things to eat, drink, sleep and work – we create a mess; we create imperfection. It is our way of life. 

Now, Wabi-Sabi Fukinsei embraces this fact. It accepts that in the natural way of life, nothing remains perfect. It lets you create a home that is beautiful and comfortable while being imperfect and also chaotic. Isn’t that an interesting concept – messy yet magnificent, incomplete yet immaculate. Let’s explore more.

ikebana

Wabi-Sabi Funkinsei

What is the meaning of Wabi Sabi Fukinsei?

In Japanese aesthetics, Fukinsei suggests that nature is not in perfect symmetry, yet the impact can be spectacular. It states that things are beautiful even though they are imperfect in life. You can find this art form in the irregular drip line of a tea bowl. Bonsai trees are yet another excellent example of asymmetry. Although Wabi-Sabi is one of the core concepts of Japanese aesthetics, only a few understand the true meaning of it.

What is Wabi-Sabi?

Wabi-Sabi is a simple Japanese philosophy of accepting the imperfections. It is all about valuing simplicity and being happy with less material things. Wabi-Sabi makes you realize and understand that one day everything fades away. It is the law of nature; nobody can deny that. This philosophy is a strong influence on Japanese design and beauty.

Where can we see Fukinsei art?

You can see the asymmetric beauty of Fukinsei in Japanese gardens. These Japanese gardens make use of both natural and human-made design elements to make people understand imperfection.
Fukinsei art is seen at Kenrokuen in Ishikawa Prefecture. As one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan, the entire place looks like heaven during the snowfall. The garden is a perfect blend of artificial gardens and nature itself. The two-centuries-old pine tree will amaze you with its gigantic shape and exposed roots. 
japan garden wabi sabi

Japanese aesthetics 

Japanese design, culture and art mainly focus on the process rather than the material. It emphasizes the function of the art. Japanese aesthetics revolve around one central theme – natural simplicity is the best. In simple terms, Japanese art and culture teach us to understand how exciting and fascinating, imperfect things are. 


Fukinsei home decor

For your home décor, you can choose simple plain white walls. The elegance and grace of spotless white walls are just so beautiful and charming, right? But our lifestyle won’t let it stay entirely white. And with Wabi-Sabi’s Funkinsei, you accept this fact and plan for it. Maybe use washable paint or stone surface for white walls.

Bonsai

A bonsai makes an excellent decor piece for both indoors and outdoors. It perfectly blends with any modern space decorated with fancy elements. But do you know that a bonsai is the perfect representation of Fukinsei art principle – Asymmetry? Yes, bonsais represent harmony and balance. And, you can see visual harmony between branches, pots and foliage of Bonsai. 

Ikebana

This decor involves arranging stems, leaves, and flowers in asymmetrical patterns. These patterns are then mounted into a vase. You can then place these vases in entrance halls and living rooms. The choice of stem depends on creating harmony between the flower and the jar. In recent years, the Ikebana art form has inspired many floral artists to develop unique creations and patterns. 


Why choose Fukinsei home decor?

Fukinsei home decor is all about creating harmony with asymmetrical patterns. These include blending both natural and human-made elements. A few other benefits are listed below: 

Engage the viewer

Perhaps one of the most basic principles of Fukinsei is to connect with nature through asymmetrical and incomplete patterns. The prime aim is to inspire creativity in your friends and guests and find the missing symmetry. 

Imbibe natural order

Nature is continually evolving, and so do we humans. We are equally imperfect as life is. So, we need to embrace this imperfection and turn it into harmony. This way, our mind and soul will be at peace, and we can live a blissful life. 

Great decor theme for a busy home

With growing lifestyles and superior products, we often end up stuffing our house with too many objects. We need to understand that too many things do not make a home perfect. It will always be imperfect like us. So, to create a lively space, we need to consider imperfection. 


Fukinsei is all about making your home a living paradise. We all desire a beautiful life with peace and harmony. Wabi-Sabi says that beauty lies in simplicity. Fukinsei suggests that peace and harmony come by embracing our imperfections.