“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak," Hans Hofmann.

The history of wabi sabi

The first people associated with wabi sabi were Japanese monks, priests and tea masters practicing Zen Buddhism around the 12th century.

To reach enlightenment the Zen Buddhists undertook daily meditations. To help them stay awake during these long days they were taught how to make tea.

The tea ceremony involved collecting water, finding firewood to boil the water, processing the tea leaves, making the tea and serving it to guests.

This simple ceremony expresses the spirit of wabi sabi. Tea Master Sen no Rikyu is credited with establishing the tea ceremony and the idea of wabi sabi.

Wabi sabi is a way of life rather than a religion. It reflects the principles of simplicity and naturalness associated with Zen Buddhism.

'Wabi Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosphers' provides a good introduction to the history and the basic concepts of wabi sabi.