Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan

By Azby Brown

Book Overview

"Brown's book Just Enough is a compelling account of how Edo Japan confronted similar environmental problems and created solutions that connected farms and cities, people and nature." --Huffington Post

The world has changed immeasurably over the last thirty years, with more, bigger, better being the prevailing mantra. But in the midst of this constantly evolving world, there is a growing community of people who are looking at our history, searching for answers to issues that are faced everywhere, such as energy, water, materials, food and population crisis.

In Just Enough, author Azby Brown turned to the history of Japan, where he finds a number of lessons on living in a sustainable society that translate beyond place and time. This book of stories depicts vanished ways of life from the point of view of a contemporary observer and presents a compelling argument around how to forge a society that is conservation-minded, waste-free, well-housed, well-fed and economically robust.

Included at the end of each section are lessons in which Brown elaborates on what Edo Period life has to offer us in the global battle to reverse environmental degradation. Covering topics on everything from transportation, interconnected systems, and waste reduction to the need for spiritual centers in the home, there is something here for everyone looking to make changes in their life.

Just Enough is a much-needed beacon in our evolving world, giving us hope in our efforts to achieve sustainability now.

"In a work of astonishing imagination and intelligence, Brown, a professor of design based in Japan, looks back to the Edo era (Tokyo, 1603-1868) and sees parallels between the ecological collapse then and environmental malaise now. The challenge: "to link our sophisticated technical systems to the kind of mentality that those prescient forbears displayed." -- Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4805312548
• ISBN13: 9784805312544
• Release Date: March 2013
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.5" x 9.0"

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.