The daily lives of ordinary people are replete with objects, common things used in commonplace settings. These objects are our constant companions in life. As such, writes Soetsu Yanagi, they should be made with care and built to last, treated with respect and even affection. They should be natural and simple, sturdy and safe - the aesthetic result of wholeheartedly fulfilling utilitarian needs. They should, in short, be things of beauty.In an age of feeble and ugly machine-made th...

With dozens of lovely photographs and insightful commentary, The Folk Arts of Japan deals with a rediscovered branch of Japanese art.Although these folkcraft creations have their roots in the country's ancient and colorful art tradition, their unassuming grace makes them unmistakably in harmony with modern functional design.The author, Dr. Munsterberg brings to his work the fruits of four years of study in Japan and a deep knowledge of Asian cultur...

Developed out of the aesthetic philosophy of cha-no-yu (the tea ceremony) in fifteenth-century Japan, wabi sabi is an aesthetic that finds beauty in things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.Taken from the Japanese words wabi, which translates to less is more, and sabi, which means attentive melancholy, wabi sabi refers to an awareness of the transient nature of earthly things and a corresponding pleasure in the things that bear the mark of th...

An enchanting and fascinating insight into Japanese landscape, culture, history and future.Originally written in Japanese, this passionate, vividly personal book draws on the author's experiences in Japan over thirty years. Alex Kerr brings to life the ritualized world of Kabuki, retraces his initiation into Tokyo's boardrooms during the heady Bubble Years, and tells the story of the hidden valley that became his home.But the book is not just a love letter. Haunted througho...

How to maximize chi—inside and outside the home.This illustrated guide to the ancient Chinese art strips feng shui down to the basics, focusing solely on those aspects that deal with the interior and exterior of one’s home. Author Stephanie Roberts shows readers how to evaluate and change aspects of their space to maximize the flow of positive energy, and how to arrange each room to achieve better balance in their lives and increase their prospects for hea...

MEDITATION—FOR KIDS! The “father of mindfulness” presents a hands-on, creative method of meditation perfect for children experiencing stress and difficult emotions (TIME).Features cute illustrations, plus useful tips on how to start a ‘pebble meditation’ practice at home or in the classroom.Developed by Thich Nhat Hanh as part of the Plum Village community’s practice with children, pebble meditation is a playful, fun activity that ...

Living in a garage, so poor she could barely feed her dog, and rapidly hitting bottom, author Barb Rogers was desperate to just try anything. She combated and overcame her situation by prayer, choosing to be happy, and improving the flow of chi in her life. And the results were nothing short of dramatic. In these three books, part of the Just Try This series, Rogers shares the simple methods that helped her triumph over incredible adversity. These books are down-to-earth and easy to use. R...

Lillian Too's Smart Feng Shui for the Home is a gift from the world's leading feng shui expert for all of us who have to work with what we've already got in our homes.Whether you live in an apartment, family house, penthouse or studio, here are 188 smart ways to transform bad energy to luck-laden good chi, without major building work.Full of practical wisdom, Smart Feng Shui begins with basic principles, explaining everything you'll need to practise authentic Chinese feng s...

Now you can make subtle, inexpensive changes to your home that can literally transform your life. If you're in the market for a house, learn what to look for in room design, single level vs. split level, staircases, front door location and more. If you want to improve upon your existing home, learn how its current design may be creating negative energy. Discover simple ways to remedy problems without the cost of major renovations or remodeling.

Step into your inner world and connect with your essence as you create unique mandalas with various mediums and techniques. Discover how this ancient ritual can heal and transform your life. Find out why this introspective tool is used in a variety of contexts. The Mandala Way contains an illustrated, step-by-step method of making expressive and personalized art works. Suitable for everyone, this art form has excellent educational benefits.Learn a visual languageDevelop atten...

Feng Shui Your Life In Just Five Minutes Per RoomIf you thought Feng Shui was complicated, think again! Five Minute Feng Shui cuts through the mysticism and the long winded history and gets quickly to the point.This easy-to-follow guide will show you how you can get instant benefits from Feng Shui, including:● Feel happier and healthier, 24/7.● Sleep like a baby every night, wake up refreshed and fizzing with energy every morning.● H...

A beginner?s guide to attaining wealth and prosperity through the practical uses of feng shui.Feng shui, the Chinese aesthetic practice of arranging your environment to maximize the flow of energy, has entered the mainstream of American culture, with more and more Americans realizing every day that feng shui is no New Age fad, but a proven and practical way to improve your life.This compact yet thorough guide to using feng shui to create prosperity and abun...