by Steve Lussing

Created on: April 20, 2008

The Japanese have a philosophical interpretation of the concept of entropy so that its manifestation in nature has become an aesthetic which they call "Wabi-Sabi", which is most closely translated to mean "beautiful". A thing is not considered pure or beautiful, or wabi-sabi, unless it complies with the entropy-centric law that "nothing lasts, nothing is finished, nothing is perfect." An object must evoke a sense of tranquil melancholy and a spiritual longing to be wabi-sabi - in other words the entropy of an object must bring it as close to a state of balance as its current temporal relationship with physical reality allows while reminding the observer that there is nothing permanent except change. "Sabi" is the Japanese word for rust.

Philosophy lies so close to the heart of Japanese culture that it manifests even in the application of conduct and customary social behavior. The ritual Japanese tea ceremony is a premier example of how the philosophy of the Tao is applied to everyday experience. The concept of "ichi-go ichi-i", that each meeting should be treasured because it can never be repeated, when applied in a formal tea ceremony requires that a guest demonstrate proper knowledge of the gestures and speech, deportment, and the correct way to take tea and sweets so that the overall theme is wabi-sabi. The guest is expected to observe the rules of etiquette in what might well become a four hour long experience.

The concept of "Wa", or harmony, is germane to any Japanese social context. In the interest of maintaining wa one is obligated to meet the expectations of one's host when one enters a Japanese home, for example. It is customary for anyone entering a Japanese home to remove one's shoes and accept the host's offer of a pair of slippers. In areas of the home where the floor is covered with straw "tatami" mats, then the slippers must be removed to avoid damaging them. Failure to remove one's house slippers when entering the washroom is a major faux pas. Special toilet slippers will be provided.

In a traditional Japanese home with a tatami room there is usually an alcove with a hanging scroll where a flower arrangement or piece of statuary is displayed as an expression of the aesthetic of wabi-sabi. This is a "tokonoma". A guest should be seated in front of it. Farthest from the entrance to the room is the "kazima", the most honored seat in the house where the most important guest will be seated. Traditionally meals are taken sitting on the floor. Only men

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