Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan

By Azby Brown

Book Overview

Includes stories that tell how people lived in Japan some two hundred years ago, during the late Edo Period, a period when traditional technology and culture were at the peak of development and realisation, just before the country opened itself to the West and joined the ranks of the industrialised nations. This book, more than anything else, is about a mentality that pervaded Japanese society then and which can serve as a beacon for our own efforts to achieve sustainability now. This is a book of stories, depictions of vanished ways of life told from the

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4770030746
• ISBN13: 9784770030740
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: Kodansha USA
• Length: 231 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.8" x 0.9" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

This reminds me of my childhood days only 50 years ago.

I was brought up in Japan (born in China), and most of my playground was in my aunt's farm house. Many beautiful pen sketches throughout the book brings back my childhood memory. The Old "Edo" period began in 1600 and ended in 1868, but the type of things depicted in the book were seen until just 50 years ago in Japan. So-called modernization , or Americanization, has wiped out eco-friendly, waste-nothing culture completely. I hope people will realize that we can live happily without many modern amenities. I bought 2 additional copies and gave to my Americal friends in my neighbourhood.

This book surveys systems of household management and living that achieve superior satisfaction

JUST ENOUGH: LESSONS IN LIVING GREEN FROM TRADITIONAL JAPAN shares personal stories and observations from early Edo Japan to show how we can live happier, more sustainable lives. The early Japanese confronted the same issues our society now faces - and found ways to resolve these issues using 'just enough' from the world to lead meaningful lives. This book surveys systems of household management and living that achieve superior satisfaction.

We can do it too!

Wonderful book about simplistic lifestyles and sustainability. We could all use some of the techniques in this book.