Great article. There is a distribution to everything, and preferences along every point of the curve. We forget that cultural attributes, idealized and exported, are just part of that distribution between minimalism and maximalism.
In the de-cluttering discussion, wasn't there also a practical issue historically like represented in the book Shogun (I've not watched the series) about earthquakes, typhoons and fire - if a house was simple, not much would be destroyed when calamity came, and it could easily be re-built and refurnished ?
There wasn't a consumer economy as we think of one back in the Warring States era, so I'm not sure that's applicable. But the idea of houses as being something that depreciate and get rebuilt, rather than the permanent assets they're seen as in the West, persists.
While I love the possibility of minimalism in Japan (tatami rooms, futons that can be folded away during the day, tea ceremony), I also love the cluttered spaces. One of the most fun activities for me is exploring antique & retro stores, the secondhand bookshops of Jimbocho, the hardware & retro gaming stores of Akihabara & many other neighborhoods I probably don't even know about yet. No other place does clutter & secondhand quite like Japan, with its unique style & aesthetic. It's a beautiful treasure trove!
I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment! This is what I live for, while my interests lie with collecting video and the culture behind what made the things I love and have the privilege to enjoy. It’s another world. But on the flip side you have minimalism. I personally would like to attempt the concept but I know it’s not the type of thing that matches who I am. It makes me wonder your thoughts on this?
There are times when minimalism is called for (packing for hiking or camping, for instance) but I’ve never attempted a truly minimalist lifestyle. I really think it comes down to preference & personality! Kind of like Japan itself — the culture of which has both minimalist and maximalist tendencies.
First of all, I love the title! I also particularly liked the distinction between things and content. I completely agree that Japanese homes are often filled with clutter. My own home however is extremely clutter-free -- the main room which serves a living room and dining room and often work room and exercise room, is 10 tatami mats with one low table for two people (I bring out another table when I have guests) and two zabuton (again, more when I have guests). There is one low tansu with a TV on it (I would really like not to have the TV but I love my husband, who loves TV), and a treadmill (ditto for the reason). There is nothing on the counter usually except a fruit bowl. I put away things constantly but I definitely don't think my room is sterile-looking -- I find it serene, giving me the head space I need. I was definitely not Marie Kondo'ed. I've more or less lived like this since I arrived in 1983.
Totally love this! Would share a picof my very own little cluttersphere, which of course was not intended that way, and which i have inevitably.come to now think of in 'shrinesque' terms. The downsides are 1) i have to cover it all (due to its rather outré nature*) with sheets every three months when property management does their routine inspection (for what they say are insurance purposes) of my rental, and that is difficult . 2) it is too easy to lose things, such as earpieces from audiophilic IEMs ( i have some 150 of these now? )
Thankypu again MA for one great piece!
* yeah i know, ' outre' is a bit of a weasel word to use, but then..."heh"
Great article. There is a distribution to everything, and preferences along every point of the curve. We forget that cultural attributes, idealized and exported, are just part of that distribution between minimalism and maximalism.
In the de-cluttering discussion, wasn't there also a practical issue historically like represented in the book Shogun (I've not watched the series) about earthquakes, typhoons and fire - if a house was simple, not much would be destroyed when calamity came, and it could easily be re-built and refurnished ?
There wasn't a consumer economy as we think of one back in the Warring States era, so I'm not sure that's applicable. But the idea of houses as being something that depreciate and get rebuilt, rather than the permanent assets they're seen as in the West, persists.
Best title ever. Very clever.
While I love the possibility of minimalism in Japan (tatami rooms, futons that can be folded away during the day, tea ceremony), I also love the cluttered spaces. One of the most fun activities for me is exploring antique & retro stores, the secondhand bookshops of Jimbocho, the hardware & retro gaming stores of Akihabara & many other neighborhoods I probably don't even know about yet. No other place does clutter & secondhand quite like Japan, with its unique style & aesthetic. It's a beautiful treasure trove!
I couldn’t agree more with this sentiment! This is what I live for, while my interests lie with collecting video and the culture behind what made the things I love and have the privilege to enjoy. It’s another world. But on the flip side you have minimalism. I personally would like to attempt the concept but I know it’s not the type of thing that matches who I am. It makes me wonder your thoughts on this?
There are times when minimalism is called for (packing for hiking or camping, for instance) but I’ve never attempted a truly minimalist lifestyle. I really think it comes down to preference & personality! Kind of like Japan itself — the culture of which has both minimalist and maximalist tendencies.
First of all, I love the title! I also particularly liked the distinction between things and content. I completely agree that Japanese homes are often filled with clutter. My own home however is extremely clutter-free -- the main room which serves a living room and dining room and often work room and exercise room, is 10 tatami mats with one low table for two people (I bring out another table when I have guests) and two zabuton (again, more when I have guests). There is one low tansu with a TV on it (I would really like not to have the TV but I love my husband, who loves TV), and a treadmill (ditto for the reason). There is nothing on the counter usually except a fruit bowl. I put away things constantly but I definitely don't think my room is sterile-looking -- I find it serene, giving me the head space I need. I was definitely not Marie Kondo'ed. I've more or less lived like this since I arrived in 1983.
Good for you! I agree, there is definitely a big difference between a sterile space and a well-kept living space, “minimalist” or not.
Totally love this! Would share a picof my very own little cluttersphere, which of course was not intended that way, and which i have inevitably.come to now think of in 'shrinesque' terms. The downsides are 1) i have to cover it all (due to its rather outré nature*) with sheets every three months when property management does their routine inspection (for what they say are insurance purposes) of my rental, and that is difficult . 2) it is too easy to lose things, such as earpieces from audiophilic IEMs ( i have some 150 of these now? )
Thankypu again MA for one great piece!
* yeah i know, ' outre' is a bit of a weasel word to use, but then..."heh"
😇
Thanks for reading! We are all our clutter.
Perhaps one could even dub Tokyo (ntm all the other bigguns) itself Clutterville!
Do you have the lowdown on why they've never buried all the electrical wiring and cabling...?
Inertia. They rushed to get power lines up as fast as possible after WWII and it became the norm. It's an issue during emergencies such as earthquakes. https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20160214/p2a/00m/0na/003000c