Letter From Japan
How to find calm, wonder and beauty through Japanese culture and traditional and contemporary practices with the No. 1 bestselling author
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- 7,99 €
Publisher Description
The brand new book from bestselling author and television personality Marie Kondo, exploring her cultural roots and revealing the aspects of Japanese culture that are intrinsic to her world-famous tidying method. The six chapters in this book - Cherish, Perfect, Consider, Harmonize, Purify, and Savor - represent guiding principles by which Marie leads her life every day. They also define the values that flow through the arts, rituals, and sensibilities of Japan.
We discover why appreciating the beauty of sakura, cherry blossom, allows for a moment to deeply experience a season through a single entity (Cherish). In the traditional tea ceremony, we see the importance of kiwameru, the Japanese word for achieving mastery or perfection (Perfect). In umami, we taste how something simple and delicious can nourish the heart (Savour). We explore why the things left unsaid, ma, are just as important as the words we say (Harmonise).
The beautiful hardback edition, which will include gold foiling on the cover and illustrated pages, will make the perfect gift.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Tidying expert Kondo (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) offers a heartfelt celebration of Japan and its culture. Observing that "my upbringing is fundamental to my chosen career and philosophy in life," the author surveys the Japanese customs that inspire her, from making onigiri, or hand-formed rice balls, to expressing mottainai, or "profound regret over discarding... something that could still serve a purpose." Some of her cherished traditions are familiar (meditative Japanese gardens, manga) or standard vacation tips (relaxing in hot springs). But some are lesser-known, such as takigyo, "the long-held tradition of praying... while standing underneath a waterfall," and the esoteric ma, the silent pause or empty space that "forms the foundation of Japanese culture and lifestyle." Kondo's breezy reflections are bolstered with historical anecdotes and etymologies (kawaii, or "cute," evolved from a phrase referring to "situations that were embarrassing" but also "evoked pity"). The book also lends fascinating insight into Kondo herself, from her younger years participating in an after-school Japanese tea club and serving as a "shrine maiden," to the cultural whiplash she experienced when moving to the U.S. Kondo never strays far from her passion for tidying as she details how Japanese culture informs her methods. It's an endearing love letter to the country that formed a popular philosophy.
