Jeez, it's so refreshing to read this! I'm glad you properly gave a name to this phenomenon, because it's an uncredited factor in the charm of Japanese daily life. Sure, places can be small and cramped, but that can also have an appealing intimacy. In the commercial context, I'm thinking of the cozy neighborhood izakaya where you get to know your neighbors, or the microscopic stationery store that somehow has everything you need tucked into tiny corners. Perhaps it's less known outside of Japan because it's less replicable, at least in places with a "bigger is better" mindset.
Once again, hitting these truths in the form of a well written piece Matt!
After 5 years of living with my wife and especially after combining our stuff, no matter how tidy we make our small place; many of our friends remark when first coming over - “wow you guys are really surrounded by your things”. But I like it this way!
During my first trip to Japan, I didn't get a chance to enter Japanese people's houses, but here in Brazil, where there has been a massive immigration of Japanese folks, every family house I've entered is very much a portrait of what you just described in this text. The culture spreads and remains, it seems! 🇯🇵
That kokeshi doll workspace looks like everyone's office at M1GO.
Jeez, it's so refreshing to read this! I'm glad you properly gave a name to this phenomenon, because it's an uncredited factor in the charm of Japanese daily life. Sure, places can be small and cramped, but that can also have an appealing intimacy. In the commercial context, I'm thinking of the cozy neighborhood izakaya where you get to know your neighbors, or the microscopic stationery store that somehow has everything you need tucked into tiny corners. Perhaps it's less known outside of Japan because it's less replicable, at least in places with a "bigger is better" mindset.
Once again, hitting these truths in the form of a well written piece Matt!
After 5 years of living with my wife and especially after combining our stuff, no matter how tidy we make our small place; many of our friends remark when first coming over - “wow you guys are really surrounded by your things”. But I like it this way!
During my first trip to Japan, I didn't get a chance to enter Japanese people's houses, but here in Brazil, where there has been a massive immigration of Japanese folks, every family house I've entered is very much a portrait of what you just described in this text. The culture spreads and remains, it seems! 🇯🇵