Sasaki - Goodbye, things: the new Japanese minimalism

Goodbye,
Things

The New Japanese Minimalism

Fumio Sasaki

Translated by Eriko Sugita

W.W. NORTON & COMPANY

Independent Publishers Since 1923
New York | London

BOKUTACHINI, MOU MONO WA HITSUYOU NAI

Copyright 2017, 2015 by Fumio Sasaki

English translation rights arranged with WANI BOOKS CO., LTD. through Japan
UNI Agency, Inc., Tokyo, and Gudovitz & Company Literary Agency

Cover design: Chin-Yee Lai
Cover photographs: (teacup) Cathy Pyle / Moment / Getty Images;
(shelf) Matthieu Spohn / PhotoAlto Agency / Getty Images

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The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows:
Names: Sasaki, Fumio, 1979
Title: Goodbye, things : the new Japanese minimalism / Fumio Sasaki ;
translated by Eriko Sugita.
Other titles: Bokutachi ni mo mono wa hitsuyo nai. English
Description: New York : W.W. Norton & Company, 2017.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017002330 | ISBN 9780393609035 (hardcover)
Subjects: LCSH: Simplicity. | Orderliness. | Self-actualization (Psychology) |
Consumption (Economics)Psychological aspects.
Classification: LCC BJ1496 .S25713 2017 | DDC 179/.9dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017002330

ISBN 978-0-393-60904-2 (e-book)

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Goodbye, Things

Fumio Sasaki

BECOMING MINIMALIST

Both of the pictures on the opposite page are of my old apartment. I couldnt throw things away. As you can see, my possessions kept piling up. I lived in this apartment for ten years, and during that time, it seemed like my life had stopped moving forward. That was when I came across the concept of minimalismof reducing your belongings to just the minimal essentials. I went from messy maximalism to life as a minimalist. I said goodbye to almost all my things and to my surprise I found I had also changed myself in the process.

HOW I BECAME A MINIMALIST

1.Little by little, using techniques Ill cover in , I turned that messy room into a tidy apartment.

2.I got rid of all my books, and even my desk and chair. We call this simple living, rather than minimalist living.

3.Finally, I got rid of my mattress, table, and even my TV. I often feel like Im a Zen monk in training.

Maximalist Life

1.I used to leave my clothes lying around, which resulted in what you might call a peculiar art-installation feel.

2.I drank beer at my messy table, munched on snacks, and played video games. I gained weight of course. Minimalism helped with that as well!

3.I used to enjoy buying antique cameras and strange lamps at online auctions.

4.My hallway, formerly lined with bookshelves. I collected as many CDs and DVDs as I could, but in the end I didnt really cherish any of them.

CASE 1

FUMIO SASAKI

MODEL APARTMENT FOR A MINIMALIST

When I moved out of my old apartment, I chose a simple twenty-square-meter studio with a kitchen. Im trying to leave it in its clean state, a model apartment for single minimalist living.

CASE 1

FUMIO SASAKI

This is what the place looks like when I sleep. I use an airy mattress from Iris Ohyama, a must-have for Japanese minimalists. Sunlight pours in through the windows, which makes waking up something to look forward to.

Even though I sometimes cook my own meals, my tableware is kept to a minimum. The designs are also minimalist, and cleanup is quick and easy.

Heres a look in my closet, from a down jacket to a suit, some white shirts, and the few pairs of pants that match in a simple style. Im aiming to create my own uniform with a signature style like Steve Jobs had.

I dont keep a utility rack in my bathroom. I use liquid soap to wash my body and my hair, and after I get out of the bath, I wipe my whole body with a small hand towel.

I keep my apartment and bicycle keys hooked to a thin wallet from abrAsus. I just put this wallet and my iPhone in my pocket and head out whenever and wherever the mood strikes.

CASE 2

HIJI

THE APARTMENT OF A TRAILBLAZER

Hiji is one of the first people who helped spread the minimalist movement in Japan. His simple Zen-like apartment is home to some of the latest gadgets.