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mono no aware

Mono no aware (物の哀れ), means literally "the pathos of things", also translated as

"an empathy toward things", a sensitivity to things" or "a pity toward things".

 

It is a Japanese term used to describe the awareness of mujo or the transience of things and a bittersweet sadness at their passing.

 

According to mono no aware, a falling or wilting autumn flower is more beautiful than one in full bloom; a fading sound more beautiful than one clearly heard; the moon partially clouded more appealing than full.

COMMENTS
21-gramm said at 5:47 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
So Elegant, Eduardo! I dissolve in your photos like a piece of sugar in the tea cup~~~~~
Liliana said at 6:15 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
Pensé que era de acá, tan pampa, tan galpón de ferrocarril muerto, nuestro, tan melancólico...
Me gustó mucho el texto... Mucha influencia japonesa, meu caro amigo. ¡¡Bienvenida!!
Leftofcenter said at 6:35 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
well that would depend on the mood of the day, all I know is that you're sharing a photo veiled in melancholy (it must be the mist in the background) that man under the tree, as frozen in time, do I read "nirvana" on the barn's wall? nice-
Liliana said at 6:38 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
Yes, Leftie, I think it is Nirvana... but the rock band... or not!! :)
¿Es de Colonia? Porque dice "Sur" no "Sul"...
Leftofcenter said at 6:40 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
I hope it's NOT! it would take away from all the mysticism... ;)
AliDar said at 6:48 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
...Our mortality is what makes life so precious. Time's passing makes the moment more meaningful. If things didn't change we wouldn't recognize the value and beauty in the here and now. I would rather feel the bittersweet sadness of somethings passing than not have the sensitivity to feel all that a moment has to offer. Everything changes, everything passes, why is it so hard to accept that and see the beauty in somethings passing when that very fact is what gives meaning to our lives?

Eduardo, this tabblo has given me something to think about that I needed to, ... now if I could just hold onto this moment..... <G> ... I can at least hold onto the beautiful moment that you've captured in your photograph. Thank you for both.
Thyme2dream said at 7:26 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
beautiful:-)
Standing002 said at 7:44 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
Thank you for sharing this beautiful shot.
Sirnicolay said at 10:33 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
The shot is fantastic, and the text that comes along with it is very inspiring and insightful. Thank you for sharing this, Edu. :)
YorkJodi said at 11:24 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
Yes.... This is wonderful!!! Your words evoke such perspective thinking... I have always loved the moon more with a cloud passing over it... the mist or fog covering part of the view... This is wonderful!! Thanks!!
Jigs said at 11:53 p.m. on May 26, 2008:
The Japanese are really so profound in their perspective and philosophy! The "awareness of mujo or the transience of things and a bittersweet sadness at their passing" — what a beautiful and poignant spin on mortality and finiteness of life. Obrigado, Edu, for this exquisite and thought-provoking tabblo.
Andre. said at 1:22 a.m. on May 27, 2008:
I just like the image:)
Eduardo.affonso said at 7:58 a.m. on May 27, 2008:
Well, guys, thank you a lot for such "sensitive" responses. I've been reading a book about words or expressions that exist only in a particular language ("They have a word for it - A Lighthearted Lexicon of Untranslatable Words and Phrases", by Howard Rheingold) and got stuck on concepts like "mono no aware".

DEN: You know I truly admire your work and I'm a big fan or yours, so you can imagine how flattered I am after reading your comment.

LILIANA: Sim, você acertou, é Colonia. Foi das primeiras fotos que fiz lá, assim que saí do porto e comecei a me aventurar pela beira do rio, seguindo os vestígios dos trilhos.

ANNELIES: I was going to call this tabblo "Nirvana", but then I read about the sadness of things, and changed my mind. Sorry to take your misticism away, but I'm sure that grafitti refers to the rock band...

DAR: I'm sure I'll quote you in one of my next tabblos... It's the darkness that makes the stars shine, isn't it? If there was no death, there wouldn't be life either - we would be frozen in time, with no perspective. So, why do we still try to "capture" time, freeze some vanishing moments turning them into photos?? (A photography portraits only dead moments - but it's our way to have a glimpse of that strange, absurd and volatile thing called life).

JAMES: It takes me time to take photos, because I like things to be still, in the best angle, focused - and dead. In this case, I had to hurry up because that tiny man was walking fast - that's why it evokes the transience of things - and that's why it's so live - and imperfect.

JODI: We belong to the same team!

JIGS: This photo was going to be dedicated to our dear friend Jane Romero, but she hardly visits Tabblo - I always think of her when I read about Japanese philosophy. People from the Eastern World (Pinoys included) have a very particular way to deal with impermanence, I guess. And maybe Pinoys have an even more accurate perspective of "finiteness" because of the powerful Catholic influence. (Hmmm, I think we should develop a theory about "finitiness x fitness, eastern x western approach to life...).

KARLA, SUSAN, ANDRE: Thank you very much for visiting, thinking, commenting!
Pkeener said at 12:02 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
I just can't get over the fact that you managed to capture the man walking in stride, right before he crossed the tree. As for the concept, I embrace it wholeheartedly. I think Bittersweet is my middle name. I want to walk into this photo!
Eduardo.affonso said at 12:03 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
I did it merely by chance, PAM...
EMA said at 1:03 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
Bela foto e conceito Edu! Mas o que mais me encanta aqui é constatar a forma diferente como as pessoas vêm e interpretam as coisas. :-) Tudo de bom para você!
Magedimages said at 3:07 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
Superbe photo qui nous plonge dans une atmosphère particulière... Ici, commence une histoire...
Liliana said at 8:06 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
eduardo, perdón por no esar a la altura filosófica del resto de los contertulios, la verdad es que les envidio el tiempo... ¡¡¡¡Me fascinó lo del libro!!!!!¿Lo leíste en portugués o inglés...? Yo leí un articulo een el diario hace un tiempo sobre el tema y voy recolectando ese tipo de expresión entre mis alumnos pero nada metódico. sólo en mi cerebro. ¡Esto me parece espectacular, maravilloso! Voy a ver si lo consigo. ¡¡¡Gracias!!!
Rita.Mandarino said at 9:15 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
Gostei, pra variar suas fotos causam sempre impacto, essa então, quanta filosofia...nem me atrevo.
Liliana said at 9:36 p.m. on May 27, 2008:
Rita, acho que as sudamericanas ficamos meio mal, nesse Tabblo ;).
Welshchick said at 5:20 a.m. on May 28, 2008:
This is the kind of day I love...I feel like I'm there~ very cool :^)
Snooway said at 10:44 p.m. on May 28, 2008:
wonderful atmosphere
Lionshootr said at 3:47 a.m. on May 29, 2008:
Awesome! Some times the best images are by chance. Some we do not capture and they are etched only in our minds :) You are challenging me to dig into my own photos!
Mariusblack said at 4:38 a.m. on May 29, 2008:
a great shot and an equally great write-up. transcience of things... that's always a good concept to think about, and how eloquently you put it in just one photo. i could see myself sitting on the stairs by that barn, smoking, having coffee and enjoying deep thoughts. thanks for the mental exercise, edu. =).
Rita.Mandarino said at 12:49 p.m. on May 29, 2008:
Pois é Liliane. Quando vi o tabblo, quis postar um poema que gosto muito mas depois que li os comentários fiquei tímida ehehh Mas já passou o impacto aí vai ele:

Caiu sobre o meu rosto
Uma delicada neblina
De teia fina
Música sublime
De misteriosa onda
Soprada em surdina
De uma concha
Resgatada da margem firme
Dos teus sonhos
Veladamente... espero
Palavras, sons de
Flautas encantadas
Passos sonoros de faunos
Descarados
Que empoleirados em ramos
De flores que esbanjo
À tua passagem
Beijam o meu rosto
Cheio da neblina
Com que me encantas
E me desnuda
Nas noites eternas
dos contos que da tua mão
resvalam,
directos, para minha alma,
sem pedires nada
PhotoPop said at 8:41 a.m. on May 30, 2008:
A wonderful shot that sucks you right in. You can feel the coolness of the mist as you cross the old railroad tracks and wonder what is around the corner.
Liliana said at 2:01 p.m. on May 30, 2008:
Rita, o poema é belo! Muito sutil. Quem é o autor...? Gostei do "Veladamente... espero" y depois, no verso do embaixo..."palavras". Mas agora, só eu e qe nao está sendo muito filosófica, só eu fiquei fazendo un "rol" pouco fundo... :(
Shenresi said at 11:54 a.m. on Jun 2, 2008:
a little bit melancholic, but very charming shot !!http://www.tabblo.com/bitty-static/images/ok.gif
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Candlepower said at 2:47 p.m. on Jun 2, 2008:
Intersting and dreamy!
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