Simplicity at Home: Japanese Rituals, Recipes, and Arrangements for Thoughtful Living. Yumiko Sekine with Jenny Wapner. Photography by Nao Shimizu. Chronicle Books (2021). 224 pages. Genre: Non-fiction.
First Lines: "Several years ago, my friend Stephanie came to Tokyo from New York and stayed at our house for a few days. After her visit, she told me how different my life was from what she expected."
Summary: Yumiko Sekine is the founder of Fog Linen Work, a home goods brand that focuses on linen housewares and clothing. She wrote this book to give readers a glimpse into the way Japanese people really live. It is common in Japan to have a lifestyle and aesthetic of simplicity along with a mixture of Japanese and Western influences.
The book is organized by season. Each section includes thoughts on decorating, organizing, rituals, food preparation, simplifying and other things.
My thoughts: I first heard about Yumiko Sekine in an online article. She and her partner had recently built a home in Tokyo. The article contained pictures of the home and mentioned that she had written a book that was to be released soon. I was intrigued and requested the book from the library. I am so glad I did!
The book contains many beautiful pictures of Yumiko's home, her shop and Tokyo. The book begins with a section called "My Life with Linen" where Yumiko tells some of her history and how she became interested in linen. The book is then separated into seasons. Each section begins with the author's reflections on that particular season followed by recipes or instructions for completing a project. Some of the projects include: what to do with old linen sheets, repairing ceramic dishes, creating a wreath, or making bath salts. Also included are photos of things around the author's home to give the reader examples of the what the author is describing.
The photographs were gorgeous and would have made a beautiful book by themselves. However, I enjoyed getting to know the author through the stories she told. She briefly tells about her family and life growing up in a city in northern Japan. She has some interesting ancestors who contributed to the person she has become. I also have a better understanding of what Tokyo is like in each season.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in home decor, organization, Japanese traditions, homekeeping or just looking at beautiful pictures.
*Link to the article I originally read:
Fog Linen founder Yumiko Sekine at home
The Japanese Literature Challenge can be found at Dolce Bellezza.
How wonderful. I love looking at home decor or interior design magazines and books. I will be looking into this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really beautiful book. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteThis sounds like a wonderful book! I recently read one in a similar vain: Unstuffed: Decluttering Your Home, Mind & Soul. I love the idea of simplicity, the reality is a bit harder!
ReplyDeleteI read Unstuffed a couple of years ago. Yes, the reality is a bit more difficult. I seem to read a book on simplicity or minimalism every few months to keep myself motivated.
DeleteOh, I love this! I am a huge fan of Japanese style, from their beautiful, minimalist homes to the Midori Travelers Notebook. I checked out a book called Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism by Fumio Sasaki and wanted to instantly transform my house. But, even though it is pretty spare already, I’m not sure how my husband and I would sit on a tatami mat instead of a sofa. Anyway, this book you’ve reviewed also looks marvelous! Thanks for bringing it to our attention! I hope our library has it. ❤️
ReplyDeleteYikes! I was logged into my very old gmail account instead of Wordpress. This is Bellezza, from Dolce Bellezza because who would know from that comment above? ☺️
ReplyDeleteHi Bellezza! I also read Goodbye, Things last year and loved that too. I hope you are able to get ahold of this one.
Delete