Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan
"As we all look forward with hope for a cradle-to-cradle world, Azby Brown honors us with the great gift of seeing the past of Japan with fresh eyes. I was born in Japan and know firsthand what inspiration can be found in its history of exquisitely elegant and effective solutions to everyday needs as we create the designs of the future." —William McDonoughDesigner, winner of the Presidential Award for Sustainable Development and co-author ofCradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things"Just Enoughshould be required reading for anyone who wants to help make today's world more sustainable. Brown has drawn from a source that most of us would never consider—Japan in the early 18th century. This society went through desperate times, and came through them successfully because the Japanese learned how to use the natural systems of life to work with them, not against them. With his wonderful distillation of lessons learned, including my personal favorite—"Build homes that are inspirational" —he translates this ancient weaving of human ingenuity and natural systems analysis into a blueprint for sustainability today. This is an extraordinary book that holds the keys we're looking for to rebalance both our planet and our own lives. Read it, please." —Sarah SusankaArchitect and author ofThe Not So Big House series, and The Not So Big Life"Azby Brown's book, using excellent examples from Edo-period Japan, proves that we have surrounded ourselves with many things that we don't need to live sustainably and happily. This is an important warning for the future, one that should make us all stop and think." —Shigeru BanArchitect, recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Medal in Architecture, designer of the award-winning Hanover Pavilion for Expo 2000."The people of the Edo period intelligently managed their homes, fields, and forests, developed innovative designs for the things they needed, and maintained a sustainable society for three hundred years. This book conveys the secrets of that society with great clarity in text and sketches—knowledge that has great meaning as we face the immense challenges of our time." —Dr. Terunobu FujimoriAward-winning green architect and architectural historian. Professor at the institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo Truly an eye-opener."Brown takes us behind the scenes, revealing the complex and ingenious tech-niques that put Japanese traditional life in harmony with nature. An indispensable reference for anyone wanting to know the secret formulae that made old Japanese life what it was." —Alex KerrAuthor,Dogs and Demons, Lost Japan"This timely and inspiring book reminds us how an advanced culture in the past that faced similar challenges to our own was able to live sustainably. We can all learn from a society that encouraged humility, considered waste taboo, suggested cooperative solutions, and found meaning and satisfaction in a beautiful life." —John ThackaraDirector, Doors of Perception Design Conference. Author,In the Bubble: Designing in a Complex World"Brown's elegant and accessible text with its lucid illustrations make this a wonderful companion for students and professionals in the fields of design, civil engineering, farming, construction, or Japanese history, or any person interested in leaving a more delicate footprint on the planet."—ForeWord Magazine