Transience

Overview

From the short-lived cherry blossom to the quiet desolation of winter and even the slowly-fading face of the moon, Japan has always celebrated the transient. The passing of the season is not a time for mourning: rather, the subtle changes in the air are a sign that transience is a universal constant, and that permanence does not exist. Transience is celebrated in traditional Japanese culture in arts like the tea ceremony and is even reflected in designs today. Explore the Japanese love of transience with garden designer Shunmyo Masuno.