Word
mujo
Phoneticsmu·jo
/ˈmuːdʒoʊ/
Definition
n. a Japanese word for the idea that nothing lasts forever. It is the feeling that everything in life is always changing and will eventually disappear.
n. the Buddhist concept of impermanence, particularly as expressed in Japanese aesthetics and philosophy. Refers to the transient nature of all things and the awareness of their inevitable decay.
Examples
“The falling cherry blossoms are a symbol of mujo.”
“The poet used the image of a flowing river to illustrate the concept of mujo, showing that life never stays the same.”
“Deeply rooted in medieval Japanese literature, the aesthetic of mujo encourages a bittersweet appreciation of beauty precisely because it is fleeting and destined to fade.”
Examples
simple
“The falling cherry blossoms are a symbol of mujo.”
contextual
“The poet used the image of a flowing river to illustrate the concept of mujo, showing that life never stays the same.”
complex
“Deeply rooted in medieval Japanese literature, the aesthetic of mujo encourages a bittersweet appreciation of beauty precisely because it is fleeting and destined to fade.”
Usage
Often used in the context of Japanese art, literature, and Zen Buddhism.
Real-World Examples
“The notion of impermanence has long held a special place in Japanese thought, ranging from religion and philosophy to aesthetics and architecture. That essential belief in the transience of all physical things is Buddhist in origin and has generated a vast vocabulary of words surrounding its philosophical implications. Mujo is one” “The term “mujo” refers to the concept that things are transient, not eternal.” Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese mujō, which literally translates to 'no-permanence'. It is the Japanese translation of the Sanskrit term 'anitya', a core concept in Buddhist philosophy regarding the nature of existence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/mujo