Japan lives with drastic segregation between the sublime, the ugly, and the utterly without qualities. Dominance of the last 2 categories makes mere presence of the first stunning: when beauty 'happens', it is absolutely surprising.

Summary

This quote highlights the stark contrast and division between different aspects of Japanese society. The country is described as having a strong segregation between things that are considered sublime and beautiful, things that are ugly, and things that are simply unremarkable or lacking any exceptional qualities. The prevalence of the latter two categories creates a sense of mundane mediocrity, making the presence of true beauty even more striking and surprising when it occurs. This appreciation for rare moments of beauty emphasizes the distinctive nature of these experiences in the context of Japanese culture.

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