1.
sense of impermanence; feeling of transience
an awareness or emotional sense that all things are fleeting and nothing lasts forever, a key concept in Japanese aesthetics and Buddhist philosophy
Composed of 無常 (impermanence, a Buddhist concept) and 感 (feeling, sense). Refers to the emotional or aesthetic awareness that all things in life are temporary. This concept is central to Japanese literature, art, and philosophy.
Common collocations
- 無常感を感じる: to feel a sense of impermanence
- 無常感が漂う: for a sense of impermanence to pervade
- 深い無常感: a deep sense of transience
Cultural note
The Buddhist concept of 無常 (impermanence) has profoundly influenced Japanese culture. The famous opening of 平家物語 — 祇園精舎の鐘の声、諸行無常の響きあり — encapsulates this sentiment. Cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, and other seasonal imagery are traditionally appreciated as expressions of this transience.