Discovering Myself Through Art and Cinema

Courtesy: Kaoru Yamada

Art has always been personal to me, a way of understanding myself and the world. Lately, I’ve been reflecting on my taste in films, art, and literature, and I can’t ignore the fact that, even though I’m Chinese, I have a strong preference for Japanese culture. It’s a realization that makes me feel a little self-conscious, but it also reveals something profound about who I am and what resonates with me.

This preference for Japanese aesthetics stands in stark contrast to the taste of my late wife, who loved cinema with grandiose themes and epic scope. She was drawn to sweeping, dramatic narratives and larger-than-life stories. I, on the other hand, have always preferred something quieter, more introspective. Her favorite films filled the screen with spectacle and action; I find myself captivated by films that focus on subtle emotions and quiet character moments. It was a difference we lovingly teased each other about, and now, thinking about it brings a bittersweet smile to my face.

My love for Japanese culture began, I think, when I discovered Leonard Koren’s book, Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers. That book opened my eyes to an entirely new way of seeing the world. Wabi-sabi, with its focus on impermanence, imperfection, and understated beauty, was a revelation. It challenged…