DOTLAN EveMaps

u'"living only for the moment, savouring the moon, the snow,
the cherry blossoms, and the maple leaves, singing songs,
drinking sake, and diverting oneself just in floating,
unconcerned by the prospect of imminent poverty, buoyant and carefree,
like a gourd carried along with the river current:
this is what we call ukiyo"



Ukiyo /oo-kee-yo/ \xb7 noun.

1. [\u6182\u304d\u4e16 \xb7 "Sorrowful World"] The endless cycle of rebirth, life, suffering, and death; the earthly plane of existence from which spiritual release is sought.

2. [\u6d6e\u4e16 \xb7 "Floating World"] An imagined universe of wit, stylishness, and extravagance; lifestyle defined by overtones of hedonism, transgression, and the pursuit of fleeting pleasures.

Origin: Evolving from classical Japanese Buddhist philosophy to early-modern Edo-period pop culture.'