Mono No Aware

Mono no aware (物の哀れ^?), literally “the pathos of things”, and also translated as “an empathy toward things”, or “a sensitivity to ephemera”, is a Japanese term for the awareness of impermanence (無常 mujō?), or transience of things, and both a transient gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing as well as a longer, deeper gentle sadness about this state being the reality of life.

 

“Fleeting”

The Black and White Wall

While recovery from my blood disorder, I dreamt of this exact piece. Although at that moment I was in pain and felt hopeless I am reminded that life is constantly changing and that this moment shall pass.

 

“Ahh-ness of Spring”

Awareness of Impermanence is accepting the ephemerality of things, nature and life. Do we love more because we know it won’t last and therefore we appreciate what is here and now.

The “Ahh-ness of Spring” is a collection of spring blooms in different stages of life. We are excited at the promise of spring but our hearts feel somewhat sad because the season will pass and the blooms will fade.