A Different Kind of Luxury: Japanese Lessons in Simple Living and Inner Abundance (Paperback)

~ Andy Couturier (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Raised in the tumult of Japan’s industrial powerhouse, the eleven men and women profiled in this book have all made the transition to sustainable, fulfilling lives. They are today artists, philosophers, and farmers who reside deep in the mountains of rural Japan. Their lives may be simple, yet they are surrounded by the luxuries of nature, art, contemplation, delicious food, and an abundance of time. For example:

• Atsuko Watanabe is an environmentalist and home-schooler who explores Christian mysticism while raising her two daughters in an old farmhouse
• Akira Ito is an ex–petroleum engineer who has become a painter and children’s book illustrator and explores the role of chi (life energy) in the universe through art and music
• Kogan Murata grows rice and crafts elegant bamboo flutes that he plays for alms in the surrounding villages
• Jinko Kaneko is a fine artist and fabric dyer who runs a Himalayan-style curry restaurant in the Japan Alps

By presenting the journeys of these ordinary—yet exceptional—people, Andy Couturier shows how we too can travel a meaningful path of living simply, with respect for our communities and our natural resources. When we leave behind the tremendous burdens of wage labor, debt, stress, and daily busyness, we grow rich in a whole new way. These Japanese are pioneers in a sense; drawing on traditional Eastern spiritual wisdom, they have forged a new style of modernity, and in their success is a lesson for us all: live a life that matters.

Andy Couturier is an essayist, poet, and writing teacher. He lived in Japan for four years where he taught, was a journalist, and worked on environmental causes. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

About the Author

MA, essayist, poet, writing teacher. Writing in newspapers, magazines and literary journals including Adbusters, Creative Non-Fiction, Japan Times, North American Review, Oakland Tribune, Kyoto Journal, Fiber Arts, Writer, others. Taught writing at California State University, JFK University. Worked with environmentalists in Japan. Student of Buddhist philosophy. Years of rural living. Built own house with hand tools. Sustainable living advocate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (February 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193333083X
• ISBN-13: 978-1933330839
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #22,822 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspired by Simplicity and Simply Inspired, March 7, 2010

By	Karen Diggs - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Hey Everyone,
Our time on earth is brief and evanescent, so don't waste a minute and get this book!
I have always known that Simplicity was one of the most difficult and easy things to achieve and this beautifully written book which chronicles the lives of modern day Simplicity Heroes( & Heroines) illustrates that point. In our mad dash to buy everything under the Sun, we have become materialistic maniacs and "A Different Kind of Luxury" is a powerful and elegant reminder that we are NOT what we buy, but rather, that we already have in luxurious abundance the immutable light of our true inner being. This book will guide you back to that light and delight you!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delicate, Lyrical, Captivating and Profound, March 2, 2010

By	ChildLover "ChildLover" (California) - See all my reviews

Delicate, lyrical, captivating and profound-these stories of simplicity from Japan are a template for all of us striving to live more deeply, more richly, more joyfully in the midst of the rushing modern world.
Kudos and thanks to Andy Couturier for opening these windows for us into these full, inspiring lives abundantly lived on less.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring stories of people living meaningful lives, February 25, 2010

By	Katrina (oakland, ca) - See all my reviews

I started reading "A Different Kind of Luxury" a few days ago and find myself moved by the integrity with which the people in this book are living their lives. It takes an enormous amount of courage to reject the fast-paced lure of modern life and the money and illusion of security that comes with it. Most of us spend our lives rushing distractedly from one thing to the next. This book presents a vision of what a slow, rich life can look like, no matter where you live.