"Meet Japan's original decluttering guru (no, not
that one)! Before Marie Kondo stormed into the global consciousness, Hideko
Yamashita taught Japan the art of creating tidier spaces." —The
New York Times
Japan's original decluttering guru, Hideko Yamashita, first developed her
decluttering method known as Danshari over two decades ago. Danshari is much
more than just "a way to tidy up." Yes, you'll feel refreshed once
your surroundings are in order—but that's just the beginning!
At its heart, Danshari is about release. It's about removing what no longer
serves you emotionally as well as physically. Discarding clutter frees you from
outdated beliefs and emotional burdens that are holding you back. The word
Danshari literally means "reduce, release and relieve"—or, in other
words, lightness, clarity and freedom.
This isn't just about throwing out old stuff. It's about creating space in your
life for clarity, peace and joy with other people. Whether it's stressing about
money, difficult relationships, family expectations or the fear of
aging—Danshari offers you a way forward!
Ms. Yamashita's real-life stories illustrate the life-changing power of
Danshari, for example:
- Kaede
went through a traumatic divorce, but was only able to tell her family
about it after she had thrown away the old furniture left behind by her
ex.
- Yoko
spent three months getting rid of accumulated junk, literally creating a
space in her home for a future husband—whom she met soon after her house
was ready!
- Sachi
spent 20 years accepting gifts of dinnerware from her mother-in-law until
her cupboardswere overflowing. When she finally managed to throw these
items away, her resentful feelings toward her mother-in-law also vanished.
- And
many more true stories of Danshari's power to transform!
In a recent New York Times interview, Ms. Yamashita explains
how her philosophy differs from that of other decluttering experts, such as
Marie Kondo. She says the Danshari method encourages people to think about why
they are attached to certain items and to examine the impact old belongings and
obsessions can have on their emotional state. "For me, Danshari
is not about tidying up, organizing or tossing away things that don't spark joy
[…] It is about returning to a state in which parting with things feels
natural."
This is far more than a guide to cleaning up your house. It's a roadmap to a
whole new life!
About the Author
Hideko Yamashita was inspired by the yogic
philosophy of dan-ko (refusal), sha-ko (disposal),
and ri-ko (separation) during her student years. Drawing from
this, she developed Danshari as a practical, self-help method for decluttering
your life—both physically and emotionally. Today, she shares the message of
Danshari through her many books, tv appearances, radio, magazine and newspaper
interviews, and online media. Her books have sold over 7 million copies and
inspired people of all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to transform not
only their homes, but their lives. This is her first book in English.
