Shibui is a charming book by author Sanai Ishida about “The Japanese Art of Finding Beauty in Aging”. Japanese-American Ishida shares lessons she learned from her Tokyo-born mother while growing up in Los Angeles.

Shibui has several meanings in Japanese that range from astringent and bitter to elegant, subdued, understated, and tasteful in a quiet way. The book, filled with uplifting watercolors, looks at the mindset of aging through the shibui lens.

I loved the many connections to Japan in the book including sashiko and kintsugi – for giving new life to damaged items and wabi sabi – celebrating minor flaws. 

Each chapter is a page or two introducing many topics. Okinawans why it’s believed they live some of the longest lives on the planet, kansha – gratitude, kampō – ancient Japanese herbs and healing practices, and mokuteki – having purpose in life.

I carried the book around with me and read it a few times. Often while waiting for appointments at like at city hall. It’s small enough to carry in a purse and is light. At the back of the book is a glossary of Japanese terms with their kanji characters.

Many of the concepts in the book are things that living in Japan we talk about in daily life. I love how Sanae has captured these and put them all together and explained them in English. I can think of a few Japanese-American girlfriends around my age who live in the US who would love this book. So many things will fall into place for them growing up in Japanese households overseas.

Shibui is published by Sasquatch Books. This is a new publisher for me and I will check out what else is in their catalog. 

Shibui. The Japanese Art of Finding Beauty in Aging.

Sasquatch Books, 2025, 145 pp, $19.95.

https://sasquatchbooks.com/books/shibui/