sense of impermanence; awareness of the transience of life
A Buddhist-influenced concept referring to the deep realization that all things are fleeting and life is ephemeral. Often carries a melancholic or philosophical tone.
彼の作品には強い無常観が漂っている。
A strong sense of impermanence pervades his works.
I feel the transience of life in the falling cherry blossoms.
Standard kanji spelling; 観 emphasizes a philosophical view or outlook.
Alternate spelling using 感 (feeling/sense); both forms are used, but 無常観 is more common for the philosophical concept.
Compound of 無常 (mujō, 'impermanence', from Buddhist terminology) and 観 (kan, 'view, outlook'). The alternate spelling 無常感 uses 感 (kan, 'feeling, sense').