もののあわれ

also: もののあはれ

も

の

あ

わ

れ

Meanings

expression, noun

mono no aware; pathos of things; sensitivity to ephemeral beauty

usually written using kana alone

A classical Japanese aesthetic concept: a gentle sadness or deep appreciation for the impermanence of things, often evoked by nature, art, or fleeting moments. Used in literary and cultural discussion.

『源げん氏じ物もの語がたり』には、物ものの哀あわれの精せい神しんが流ながれている。
The spirit of mono no aware runs through The Tale of Genji.
桜さくらの散ちり際ぎわに物ものの哀あわれを感かんじる。
I feel mono no aware at the scattering of cherry blossoms.

See all 5 example sentences ›

Kanji

物thing, object, matter
哀pathetic, grief, sorrow

Related words

無む常じょう
無常 is the Buddhist concept of impermanence itself, while 物の哀れ is the emotional/aesthetic response to that impermanence.
わびさび
わびさび finds beauty in rustic simplicity and imperfection; 物の哀れ focuses on the poignant awareness of transience.

Built from

物ものの+哀あわれ

Written forms

物の哀れ
- もののあわれ
  Standard kanji-kana mixed spelling; the most recognizable form in literary contexts.
- もののあはれ
  out-dated reading
物もののあはれ
out-dated reading
Historical kana spelling reflecting classical usage; encountered in pre-modern texts.
物もののあわれ
Variant with modern kana for あわれ; less common than the mixed form.
もののあはれ
out-dated reading

Etymology

A phrase meaning the 哀れ, or deep emotional response, evoked by things. 本居宣長 developed it into a major literary concept in his Edo-period interpretation of 『源氏物語』.