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Автор Fumio Sasaki
Goodbye, Things
Fumio Sasaki
BECOMING MINIMALIST
Both of the pictures here are of my old apartment. I couldn’t 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 minimalism—of 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 I’ll cover in chapter 3, 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 I’m 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 didn’t 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. I’m trying to leave it in its clean state, a model apartment for single minimalist living.
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.
Here’s a look in my closet, from a down jacket to a suit, some white shirts, and the few pairs of trousers that match in a simple style. I’m aiming to create my own uniform with a signature style like Steve Jobs had.
I don’t 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.
PROFILE
Hiji currently works as a securities dealer. A fan of graphic novels and the pop group Momoiro Clover Z, Hiji was one of the first minimalist bloggers in Japan. Blog:
