物の哀れ: A Love Letter from Japan





Mono-no-Aware 物の哀れ


The ending of a great party, the appreciation of a beautiful sunset, the fading of a deep romance....This is the essence of mono-no-aware.


物の哀れ; (Mono-no-Aware) meaning "the Pathos of Things", is a Japanese term for the awareness of the impermanence of life, for both a transient gentle sadness or wistfulness for their passing, as well as a longer, deeper gentle sadness about this state being the reality of life. 


It is the tears (and the smile) in your eyes when you think of someone dear, once with you, but no longer here. The remembrance of the fleeting beauty you once had with this person, or the melancholy appreciation of the company or environment that you feel at the end of your journey.


Originating from Buddhism during  Japan's Heian period (794 – 1185), mono-no-aware was first used in literature. However, it wasn't until the 18th century when famed scholar Motoori Norinaga applied his understanding of mono-no-aware to his criticisms of seminal works in Japanese literature, namely The Tale of Genji; through his lectures & teachings that the term gradually spread throughout Japan and eventually became ingrained into Japanese culture & tradition.


Considered to be the symbol of mono-no-aware is the humble Japanese Sakura (cherry blossom). Celebrated for its beauty as well as signifying the arrival of spring, the delicate cherry blossom only blooms for roughly two weeks out of the entire year before returning back to the earth.


Ultimately, what mono-no-aware teaches us is to smell the flowers & share the fragrance with others in life while we still can. Appreciate each & every moment of your life; no matter how small that thing is because as Beauty blooms into our life, it will eventually wilt out of ours also. 


And for those who felt that they had lost something/someone precious to them when it was only budding despite your careful nurture; know in your heart that you did YOUR  ABSOLUTE BEST with your kind nature. Although a "Sakura" had slipped through your tender hands, know in your heart that "next year in life"; another sakura will come & bloom again. And you can love it with twice as much compassion then.        


Thanks for reading!



Yours Sincerely,

Satori Café











 

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