On the surface, the Japanese philosophy of 物哀 (mono no aware) might sound melancholic, as if to mourn the unpredictabilities in today’s world.
In reality, it is a unique Japanese aesthetic art which is a lot more than just the superficial melancholy, nor a complete surrender to fate, but an elegant and subtle sentiment sandwiched between compassion and regret.
Simply put, it defines the appreciation for something lost in the rapid changes out of the faint feeling of sorrow. Such emotion happens not only from a major event, but very often lurks inside the smallest details in life.
And sakura (cherry blossoms) is perhaps the best embodiment of mono no aware!
The beauty of cherry blossoms lies very much with their momentary existence. The flowers that typically last only a couple of days are dreamy, their petals fluttering in the breeze like pink snowflakes, carpeting the floor and transporting one into the surreal poetic realm!
Nevertheless, deep inside, you are well aware that all this will very soon come to a close. This instantaneous beauty is veritably the essence of mono no aware. Because it is short-lived, it is precious and must be appreciated more than ever. And because it will vanish in no time, we tend to treasure its transient existence.
As such, hanami (sakura viewing) in Japan is more than just viewing the flowers, but it takes on the form of a sentimental ritual. Sakura-chasing is not only a romantic, but also sacred ritual! Whether you are chasing the cherry blossoms or merely appreciating their beauty, the action is a cultural legacy that has been passed down for centuries, and is a response to the passing of life, nature, and time.
Mono no aware is different from wabi sabi that we are probably more familiar with. Wabi sabi underscores the beauty of simplicity, exclusivity and imperfection, while mono no aware accentuates the more subtle spiritual reverberations. It is unlike the Western-style tragic beauty that typifies dramatic twists of events, but is a more composed sentiment, just like the flower petals that fall off the tree at the onset of a breeze.
In Japanese aesthetics, be it the tea art, flower art, or garden design, such “impermanent beauty” can be felt everywhere. The shorter and quieter the momentary existence, the more heart- touching it will be!
As a matter of fact, mono no aware has been in existence beyond classical Japanese literature for a long time. Today, its presence can be felt across every aspect of Japanese society, including the animation of Hayao Miyazaki – the fluttering of cherry petals in spring, a dearly missed romance, and the frantic movements of busy urban folks…all classical representations of mono no aware.
While the designs for many brands of day-to-day stationery, stuff, accessories and snacks that we see in Japan, are all very simple and unpretentious, they nevertheless exude a strong feeling in their details. Such a style is not a manifestation of indifference, but rather “gentle self-restraint”.
Every time I take a group to Japan, I will always take the group members to a local Muji store. Muji’s design couldn’t have been more simplistic, with an absolutely soft colour scheme that nevertheless exudes the feeling of warmth. The no-frills design philosophy is actually an embodiment of the company’s deep observation of the people’s day-to-day life, as well as its quiet acceptance of the unpredictability of our planet. In the end, everyone who steps into the shop will feel compelled to at least buy something from it. Even the smallest items on display are saturated with feelings!
There was this time when we were shopping for seasonal wagashi in a departmental store. The short poems on the packaging illustrated the beauty of spring and cherry blossoms. Those few lines were indeed touching the hearts of many a shopper, including one by renowned Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō: All the memories are coming back to me when the cherry tree blooms.
I guess this is the power of mono no aware!
Cherry blossoms last no more than seven days, and the seasonal wagashi will also be on sale for just a single flowering season. All this is not meant to stay permanently but for an instantaneous excitement only.
Up till this point I guess I must make mention of my favourite pink colour azuki bean mochi wrapped in a cherry leaf, which is sweet to the taste but feels tender inside my heart.
Right then I was reminded of a short poem by Ozaki Hōsai: Standing under the flowers, I’m gazing at the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Today, travelling is not just about taking nice pictures at popular sightseeing spots, but to enjoy such little moments of mono no aware.
During our sakura-chasing this time, we enjoyed the beauty of cherry blossoms in full glory, chatted away the hours, and strolled along quietly. It appeared to me that time was slowing down for us. No one was rushing us or enforcing any must-visit places. All that we had were the gentle breezes, flowers, shadows, and we ourselves.
In short, this trip was not meant to rush through all the must-see attractions, but to enjoy the slowness of life and that faint mono no aware feel, so that we could experience the deepest feelings in the brief instantaneous moments.
P/S:
This article was written during our sakura-chasing trip in 2025. On this day, we were walking slowly on the pebble stone trail inside Minobusan Kuon-ji temple towards the main hall of Okuno-in. The time-rounded pebble stone under our feet witnessed the movements of people over a thousand years. In front of us are several pink weeping cherry trees over 400 years old, quietly blooming in the mountain breeze. The shadows of the flowers sway like a curtain gently lowered by time, beautiful to the point of sadness, a premonition of prosperity and decline, a gentle farewell hidden in short-lived splendour.
