# Imperfection vs Becoming

There is a huge misunderstanding about Japanese culture in the
west. Confusing Becoming with Imperfection.

Moreover they totally misunderstand Wabi-Sabi as just praising
imperfection. And they abuse "Wabi-Sabi" to misunderstand things
that are not Wabi-Sabi at all.



There is a strong preference of Becoming over Being in Japanese
culture. Emphasizing seasonality is an exemplar. Also why there
are many stories with a school setting is that teenagers represent
Becoming.

Since it is not Being, there is no fixed form. Thus there is no
Arete. No perfection. But it's not that important point.

And behind all of this, there is a sense similar to Spengler's
Culture vs Civilization. When a culture becomes a civilization, it
loses all its creative forces. It becomes overcritical and there
is only a decline left. Becoming turning into Being means death.



Personally ancient Greece and Japan feel like the inverted versions
of each other. It is very interesting. Since ancient Greece
overemphasized Being. Similar to Japan overemphasizing Becoming.

There should be both Sulphur and Mercury to create.