Why Minimalism Feels Soulless: A Japanese Perspective

[@anaduarte9451]

Minimalism is interesting but i agree it does lack joy. When I just look at things in terms of what I need and don't, I'm missing the what I love things, I get trapped in an utilitary way of thinking that ends up making me feel empty (maybe this connects to the thought of shrinking). Very interesting discussion ❤

[@petecannan1836]

I feel very fortunate to hear Azumi speak wisdom from her soul 💜 ✌️

[@insignismusica]

Thank you for the wisdom Mrs. Uchitani!

[@sanguineel]

Marx mentions the idea of commodity fetishism. In a hyper-consumeristic culture, rejecting conspicuous consumption places one in an out group, and without the "comforts" of these culturally symbolic items. You mention putting more care into a lesser amount of possessions. I think this is one of the keys to avoid the above trap.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you!

[@desireetebrake6474]

Thank you Ms Uchitani! I always felt and feel attracted and inspired by the Japanese culture and way of living. The words for certain concepts, the concepts themselves, the philosophy, the ways of living and relating to each other and the world, the traditional and modern aesthetics and design: they all feel so good and warm and friendly to me. Your posts on this channel truly explain to me my attraction and inspiration.

[@simeonbanner6204]

But the Japanese don't live in a "simple" way that's the point. It's more a western idea of how they live rather than the reality. It's like looking at books of say Edwardian England and thinking all British people live like that. As an example the Japanese furnishing and clothing company Muji which is like the Japanese gap, simple etc, is actually designed in Europe, with designers making what they think are Japanese products, which has since become popular in Japan.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you!

[@RGUint178]

Great discussion. Thank you for Clarifying the Japanese’s concept of what is termed as minimalism and what is idealized.

[@charlie-obrien]

For the New Year I have set a goal of reducing my material goods by 30%. By that I mean clothing, assorted knick knacks and collectibles, books, guitars (eek) and anything else that will help me create space for increased creativity and peace. Most will be given away or re-purposed. It is the perfect time as I am also cleaning and purifying. Thank you Azumi~san for sharing these concepts and practices to help us make our lives more enlightened! Akemashite omedetou!

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you! My pleasure! Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu. Wish you a beautiful year!

[@MikeAmerica219]

Thank you for making these videos for us , and for helping us 🙏

[@JapaneseSalon]

My pleasure!

[@sebastienmailbox]

For me, minimalism is about me living with what I need/want to be content and enjoy my life. It creates space for other things in my life, such as going out with friends or travelling, to have fewer belongings and expenses. I still have a small tea collection and a well-stocked pantry. I allow myself to buy or collect things that bring me joy, including fairly useless things. I take photos of flowers and put them in frames on my wall. My house probably doesn't look traditionally minimalist, but it is more about managing fewer responsibilities. I enjoy clothing, and my wardrobe is probably not minimal, but I only have a few things that I am going to part with this season, during cleaning. I know I have utensils I simply don't use in my kitchen, and they will go when I get to that room. Like you said, it has to be done with the intention to create space: to allow for more care to be given to what I keep, and what I choose to bring into my home later. In my case, I am going to be freeing up my finances by downsizing my home considerably. It will create space in my budget for other things I wish to spend money on, as well as the time I spend keeping the place clean. American homes are huge, in my opinion, and I have one that is more than I need. I took my time assessing that, before arriving at the decision to go back to a smaller space. Now, I'm going to take my time to purposefully let go of things that I don't want to carry forward into the future with me. Difficult, but I feel it's rewarding work. Thank you for your perspective. I appreciate the reminder to focus on the positive action of creating space. The word "declutter" is, indeed, not a pleasant word to say or hear. I agree.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts here! It is very beautiful! Very happy to read your comment!

[@williamkauffman-j9i]

this is my preferred way of life, minimalism is not for everybody

[@aldairmassardi4961]

I used to object the use of the concept of declutter too. I started from nothing and after a few years of minimalism I realized why people use it. What really bothers me in minimalism is that we kind of lose our history. Our history is often "stored" in objects. Also, I love the wabi-sabi philosophy too and the two seem to clash.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you for sharing!!

[@hian]

I think a fundamental disconnect with western minimalism and Japanese minimalism or Zen, is that Japanese minimalism and aesthetics are ultimately still tied to a naturalistic warmth whereas modern western minimalism is not. Japanese traditional minimalism is not merely open spaces and clean surfaces. It developed together with the use of paper and wood screens, lacquered wood, pottery, tasteful use of floral decoration, rustic metal objects like tea cans, tables in dark oak, and so forth. Western minimalism on the other hand, is an artificial and dead thing, largely an interior landscape of painted concrete, plastic, steel and glass. It has no warmth, and that cannot be said to be in any way equivalent to the warmth of Japanese minimalism or Zen. I very much like the actual authentic minimalism of history, but the modern "Ikea minimalism" of contemporary interior decoration magazines is not that, and shouldn't be confused with it. It's a soulless and commercial bastardization of the classical Japanese aesthetics that inspired it.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you for sharing! Enjoyed reading your comment!

[@NikeLouvise]

Love to hear you, Azumi. Happy New year! ❤

[@JapaneseSalon]

Happy New Year to you!

[@Aritra125]

Thank you for giving amazing wisdom.

[@JapaneseSalon]

My pleasure!!

[@thegreatermysteries4134]

Great explanation, thank you.

[@johenderson3742]

I wish you had showed some of the boxes/containers you use.

[@JapaneseSalon]

I will share in the post! Stay tuned!!!

[@MahendraGiri-me1qc]

🇳🇵👋 Be happy be peaceful 🇳🇵Nepal kathmandu koteshwor from watching

[@JapaneseSalon]

Wonderful to hear from Nepal! Thank you!!

[@richt63]

Very interesting ❤ my roommate is minimalist and he is very practical. He believes my possessions especially my books are junk. I think in the near future I will have to move into my own home. Great video though. Thank you for helping me see the Japanese point of view about minimalism. 👍

[@dragonflower17]

As a maximalist who used to live with a minimalist - I've had a similar experience with my former roommate. He would constantly joke (especially when we moved apartments) about us taking my things and just throwing them out because I had enough stuff without it. It is incredibly destressing to have things you cherish considered junk. So, I feel you there! I hope when you find your own place you feel comfortable there and the objects you surround yourself with make you content/happy.

[@JapaneseSalon]

Thank you!!

[@chubbieminami3274]

Minimalists bought cheap stuff and saved money. After inflation, money value went down so they lost buying power. I have bought stuff which doubled to tripled in value during the inflation.

[@Mr.Monta77]

I don’t trust your explanation. Oversimplified.

[@ZacharySound]

She had me at 'Minimalism'...

[@JamesCotter-be4se]

Makes me wonder how I would design a house? Would I design it from the inside out , while designing the structure from the outside in?

[@JapaneseSalon]

From outside in!! As Japanese architects view!

[@JapaneseSalon]

Just my preference 🙂

[@JamesCotter-be4se]

@@JapaneseSalon I like the way the Japanese build to make the house fit into the natural flow of the landscape, I think that would be my starting point then try to create and inside space that creates the most harmony for my personal energy.Thanks for the insights

[@alwayscuriousalwayslearnin]

I think that people mix up Minimalism and only having what you need if people came to my place they may think I am a minimalist I am not I just dont like waste in things including my self

[@m.j.j.7092]

Oh. That is interesting. Would like to see your japanese boxes. I love sometimes used things. How long will winter Ikigai last in your academy? I try to activate my credit card.

[@JapaneseSalon]

The Winter Ikigai theme will last till late February, after that we will delve into Kintsugi. But the Ikigai course itself will still be in the academy.

[@m.j.j.7092]

@JapaneseSalon yeah, thank you. I am happy, hopefully i will make the couse soon. Kintsugi, what a gift. And i like shinrin Yoku and shonishin too. 😊

[@simeonbanner6204]

Western culture takes yoga or "mindfulness" or ideas that are thousands of years old and repackages them, usually for money and fashion-sadly. Let me just explain "minimalist", "minimalism" is actually a word from the art world. They were terms used by critics to describe artists like Carl Andre (the famous bricks in the gallery) and Frank Stella's early black and white paintings. There was some vague Japanese influence through zen through Alan Watts, John Cage especially. They was like an idea of systems of units and maybe structure. Read the writings of Donald Judd for example. More generally comes out of Modernism, which you have to go back to the Bauhaus and other movements.

[@greenmoss9079]

I find there are many degrees of minalism. To declutter is a way of saying I am on a mission to take my space back and create a space that is functional and pleasing to the eye. I think declutter is a fine word and gives the sense of accomplishment after a hard day's work 😂😊😊

[@ggman69]

Is there any good book (in English) reference to your points of view?

[@JapaneseSalon]

I suggest to read about Japanese architects and how they design and their perspective. Otherwise You can read mine! out in July 2025 from Penguin Random House!

[@MicheleBlumberg-u6n]

Thank You for making this very clear- so much of the western use of the word Zen is just cultural appropriation and entirely inaccurate. I hope your very clear, very true explanation of this concept is widely read and distributed.

[@TheTakamas]

In the era of globalism everything is cultural appropriation, also this concept is so stupid and exists only to divide and segregate: should we Europeans forbid the Japanese to enjoy Croissants 🥐 or Pasta 🍝? Or to have a western-style wedding ceremony?

[@Alxartzen]

Wabi Sabi ❤

[@N34R4T0M4T]

I agree with you they are terrible words haha!

[@janosik4984]

2:07 Concept of what?

[@JapaneseSalon]

Kuu 空

[@janosik4984]

@@JapaneseSalon 🌼

[@SpaceCowboy-D]

Minimalism is not what I chose, when you are broke, minimalism chooses you 🥲.