Introduction
These days, the words minimalism and sustainability are most often mentioned in the same breath. A modern, minimalist lifestyle usually goes hand in hand with sustainable products and the fundamentally sustainable use of facilities. These two concepts were born from different parts of the same problem, which perhaps show signs of the times quite clearly. Overconsumption, disposable products and subsequent environmental pollution over the past few decades have been responsible for the resurgence in the popularity of minimalist living. Japan is considered the birthplace of minimalism as a philosophy of life that has spread throughout the world. In this regard, it is necessary to consider whether minimalism is still part of the Japanese way of life or if it is now a Western concept.
Concept of Minimalism
Minimalism as a lifestyle involves, first of all, the rejection of excessive and unnecessary things. Modern society is a consumer society that provides easy access to various goods and services. However, in the past, most people led a lifestyle of voluntary simplifiers (Ohira & Masuda, 2022). The common characteristic that defines all minimalist lifestyle narratives is that people implicitly reject established ideals of maximizing consumption.
Origins of Minimalism
In Japan, several origins laid the foundation for minimalism. First, the attitude towards emptiness in Japan is connected with religion. The country’s culture is inextricably linked with Buddhism, and emptiness is one of the three characteristics of existence. In front of Shinto temples, an empty space is deliberately left where the gods are believed to live (Haimes, 2020). This place is covered with pebbles and fenced with a rope and it is customary to pray (Haimes, 2020). At the same time, in Zen Buddhism, emptiness is perceived as the truth, the nature of all things, not absence, but fullness (Han, 2022). This perception of space and the objective world was reflected in the Japanese lifestyle.
At the same time, the emphasis on nothing has a decisive consequence on the notion of well-being in Japanese culture. Because external realities appear fluid, ever-changing, and often incomprehensible, it is complicated to adjust to them (Han, 2022). Thus, the reality is perceived as limiting and sometimes even oppressive. One consequence is that people tend to experience certain positive feelings of peace, relief, and calmness when they separate from reality.
Western Conception of Well-Being
Much Western well-being refers to the hedonistic qualities of happiness, including joy, excitement, and a positive attitude. In addition, personal achievements, property, and other forms of independence are important (Kan et al., 2009). Researchers also highlight social harmony, empathy or sympathy, camaraderie, and other forms of interdependence (Kan et al., 2009). These three broad categories cover almost all descriptions produced in the West (Kan et al., 2009). Thus, the general idea of Western culture has nothing to do with the concept of minimalism. The notion of well-being and happiness, on the contrary, attaches great importance to maximization is inextricably linked with the idea of the self as an independent person (Haron et al., 2020). However, the concept of “nothing more” has long been familiar in the West but does not have the same meaning as for the culture of the Japanese.
Conclusion
Thus, minimalism has more meaning in Japanese culture than in Western culture. For the Japanese, the philosophy of minimalism is more than just a rejection of consumer reality. On the contrary, modern Japanese are known for their passion for maximalism, which manifests itself, for example, in the media. However, in everyday life, the Japanese still, for the most part, retain the tradition of minimalism as a philosophy that allows one to enjoy the moment of happiness and take a break from the fast-paced reality. Japanese minimalism arose as a result of religious and historical development and still has a deeper meaning than in Western practice.
References
Haimes, P. (2020). On Japanese minimalism. Contemporary Aesthetics. Web.
Han, B.-C. (2022). The philosophy of Zen Buddhism. Polity Press.
Haron, H., Jamil, N. N., & Ramli, N. M. (2020). Western and Islamic values and ethics: Are they different? Journal of Governance and Integrity, 4(1), 12–28. Web.
Kan, C., Karasawa, M., & Kitayama, S. (2009). Minimalist in style: Self, identity, and well-being in Japan. Self and Identity, 8(2-3), 300–317. Web.
Ohira, S., & Masuda, A. (2022). Voluntary simplicity consumption in Japan: Alternative consumption and backward consumption among minimalists. Web.