The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally: An Invitation to Celebrate Every Day
The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally: An Invitation to Celebrate Every Day
The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally: An Invitation to Celebrate Every Day
Description
Description
Written by Japanologist Natalie Leon, this beautiful guide unlocks the secrets of Japan's seasonal culture to help you relish the seasons wherever you are. Since the Heian period, nature has permeated every aspect of Japanese culture in myriad ways; the Japanese literally eat, sleep and wear the seasons, from kimono motifs to seasonal sweets and annual festivals dedicated to the moon's beauty or the blooming of flowers. This celebration of nature leads to a deep awareness of the seasons, called kisetsukan.
In this book, Japanologist and seasonality expert Natalie Leon explains the hidden depths of kisetsukan and shares how seasonal living can be incorporated into our own lives. Through 12 key concepts, such as shun, focusing on eating seasonally, Kasane, the language of colour, and mottainai, zero-waste living, this treasure trove of folktales, recipes and activities is an invitation to mark and appreciate each passing season:
Increase your personal harmony, creativity and happiness by savouring the seasons, no matter where you are.
In this book, Japanologist and seasonality expert Natalie Leon explains the hidden depths of kisetsukan and shares how seasonal living can be incorporated into our own lives. Through 12 key concepts, such as shun, focusing on eating seasonally, Kasane, the language of colour, and mottainai, zero-waste living, this treasure trove of folktales, recipes and activities is an invitation to mark and appreciate each passing season:
- Design your own beautiful new year's cards, make a snow rabbit, and watch out for the first plum blossoms of the year during Oshogatsu (New Year).
- Practise hanami, the ritual of flower viewing, and celebrate spring blossoming trees around the world. Make edible dried petals for sweets or compose a haiku to celebrate the ephemeral beauty of spring.
- Discover the way of the water, or mizu, through Japanese river spirits and ocean goddesses. Try spring rain rituals or take an onsen-inspired bath in the winter.
- Experience the seasons through your local trees by trying shinrin yoku, the self-care practice of forest bathing. Learn unique Japanese tree-related words, including komorebi, which refers to the rays of light that filter down through leaves.
Increase your personal harmony, creativity and happiness by savouring the seasons, no matter where you are.
About the Author
About the Author
Natalie Leon is a Japanologist, freelance writer and student of Chanoyu, The Way of Tea. She has consulted for NHK, Japan's national broadcasting organisation, and the Ezen Foundation, a philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing the appreciation of Japanese art. She has an academic background specialising in Japanese art history and traditional culture, including an MA in Japanese Studies from SOAS, London. Over the past eight years, Natalie has handpicked yuzu in Kochi, slept in a Buddhist monastery on Koyasan, celebrated countless hanami's, attended a fox wedding in Kyoto, hunted the autumn leaves in Osaka, foraged for sansai in Yamagata and experienced an earthquake in Kumamoto. Natalie is Sakura Sister on Instagram, where she shares her seasonal adventures both in Japan and at home.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"This is the perfect book to pick up to reconnect with your local environment and enrich the everyday life with natural, if not a bit ethereal, beauty"
-- Kaki Okumura, author of WA: The Art of Balance "Besides providing a wealth of information about so many aspects of Japanese culture, Natalie Leon also provides workable advice and guidance on how to enrich our everyday lives by celebrating the wonders of every day wherever we are."
-- Bruce Hamana, student and teacher, Urasenke Tradition of the Way of Tea; author 100 Beautiful Words in the Way of Tea "Fascinating and authoritative"
-- Naoko Abe, author of 'Cherry' Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved Japan's Blossoms "A guide for everyone to incorporate these delightful insights into everyday life"
-- Liza Dalby, author of East Wind Melts the Ice
"I am impressed by Nathalie's insightful details in this book. The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally will bring you an enlightened cultural journey through Japan's colourful sensual seasons and gives a mindful flavour to your daily life. Lots of these historical and philosophical backgrounds and tips are fun to read and inspire you."
-- Rie Takeda, author of Shodo "When we notice the passing seasons, we awake to the truth of impermanence, and learn to treasure every day. This gorgeous, thoughtful book is a paean to the benefits of seasonal living, inspired by the rhythms of Japanese life."
-- Beth Kempton, bestselling author of Wabi Sabi and Kokoro
-- Kaki Okumura, author of WA: The Art of Balance "Besides providing a wealth of information about so many aspects of Japanese culture, Natalie Leon also provides workable advice and guidance on how to enrich our everyday lives by celebrating the wonders of every day wherever we are."
-- Bruce Hamana, student and teacher, Urasenke Tradition of the Way of Tea; author 100 Beautiful Words in the Way of Tea "Fascinating and authoritative"
-- Naoko Abe, author of 'Cherry' Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved Japan's Blossoms "A guide for everyone to incorporate these delightful insights into everyday life"
-- Liza Dalby, author of East Wind Melts the Ice
"I am impressed by Nathalie's insightful details in this book. The Japanese Art of Living Seasonally will bring you an enlightened cultural journey through Japan's colourful sensual seasons and gives a mindful flavour to your daily life. Lots of these historical and philosophical backgrounds and tips are fun to read and inspire you."
-- Rie Takeda, author of Shodo "When we notice the passing seasons, we awake to the truth of impermanence, and learn to treasure every day. This gorgeous, thoughtful book is a paean to the benefits of seasonal living, inspired by the rhythms of Japanese life."
-- Beth Kempton, bestselling author of Wabi Sabi and Kokoro
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Watkins Publishing
Pub date:
2024-05-14
Length:
352 pages
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