Graceful Impermanence

 

In Japanese, there is an onomatopoeic expression, “pinpin korori.” It describes a life in which one remains healthy and independent until the very end (pinpin), then passes away suddenly and naturally, without prolonged suffering (korori). Many elderly people in Japan regard this as an ideal way to depart, reflecting a wish to avoid burdening family and loved ones in later years. In reality, however, only about 10 to 20 percent of people are able to experience such an ending. My life motto has long been to “live without regrets,” but as I grow older, I find myself consciously adding “pinpin korori” to that aspiration. The fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms—briefly in full bloom before quickly fading—embodies a sense of purity and evokes the Buddhist idea of impermanence, a cornerstone of Japanese aesthetics. In this way, the notion of “pinpin korori” carries, for me, a similar quiet elegance.

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