侘寂 (wabisabi)
There are three common ways to write wabisabi and this is one case where we disagree with Jefferey's Enlglish <-> Japanese Dictionary. These three ways are (1) all kanji as in 侘寂 (read wabisabi) (2) with the first bi in hiragana 侘び寂 (read wabisabi) and (3) with both bi in hiragana 侘び寂び (read wabisabi). One commonly sees the first in English dictionaries and books so we include this. Our preference is the second - the all kanji and the repetition of bi are too symmetrical for my taste and seems to contradict the meaning of the word. Each is correct so you may select the form that most suits your sense of aesthetics.
To learn more, read the book Wabi Sabi: The Art of Everyday Life by Diane Durston and illustrations by Eri Takase or see the on-line article at Wikipedia Wabi-sabi.
Verify: 侘寂 in the Japanese-English Dictionary
