Art Quote by Kenneth Yasuda
““This book by Dr. Yasuda, while ostensibly about haiku, in reality penetrates deeply into the totality of this living spirit of Japan. It deals with those aspects which have produced and maintained haiku into the present day. The important key to understanding comes with the realization that in Japanese art one strives always for the absolute. Of the absolute there is no question of degree; it is either attained or lost. Most often, to be sure, it is not attained, but it is the constant striving toward and awareness of that high goal which gives strength and vitality to this living aesthetic spirit which has so impressed me in Japan. (Robert B. Hall, Foreword, p. x)””
About This Quote
Source Foreword: Haiku and the Japanese Aesthetic, Robert B. Hall, 1990
Haiku embodies a relentless pursuit of an absolute artistic ideal, driving vitality in Japanese culture.
In simple terms: Haiku seeks an absolute, never compromising on degree.
Key Takeaway
Strive for absolute artistic expression.
Themes
art
culture
perfection
spirituality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
artistic
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- art education
- cultural studies
Key Concepts
haiku
Japanese aesthetics
absolute ideal
Questions to Reflect On
- How does striving for the absolute shape practice?
- What does “absolute” mean in your art?
A Different Perspective
The concept of absolute may feel unattainable.
