Recently the Japanese idea of wabi sabi has become very popular on social media. In an age where perfection is the expectation, many people admire the wabi sabi ideals of finding beauty in imperfection. Contrary to common belief in Western society, wabi sabi teaches that beauty can be found in things that are natural, temporary, and simple. Instead of expecting everything to look perfect, it encourages us to accept and cherish flaws as a normal part of life.

The Internet discovered this philosophy through a clip from King of the Hill, a popular animated series. In the video, Bobby Hill explains the idea to his father, Hank, by saying that even something like an off-center rose or the crack in the Liberty Bell can be beautiful. The moment is funny, but many people felt it also carried real wisdom. The clip spread quickly on TikTok and Instagram, and users began making their own videos using the sound. Some of the videos are memes, but they still spread the message of wabi sabi to their viewers and across the platform. 

The idea of wabi sabi is especially meaningful today. Social media often pressures people to appear perfect, but this is not realistic and can be stressful. Wabi sabi invites us to slow down and appreciate what we have, even if it doesn’t meet societal standards. It reminds us that change and aging are normal and can even be beautiful.

Similarly, PHS has also connected with the new way of thinking, Ian Choi ‘28, says, “I like wabi sabi because it embraces the imperfections of each individual person.” Next time you mess up, like getting a bad score on a test or forgetting to do your homework, think of wabi-sabi and remember that mistakes are okay and that life is bigger than just school. The return of wabi sabi represents a search for honesty and calmness in the world. Thanks to a simple moment from King of the Hill, an old idea has become new again and is helping many people accept themselves as they are.