New Trend of Korean Readers Towards Minimalist and Low-Consumption Living

According to Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), citing Korea Times, two Japanese self-help works, translated in Korean as “Low-Consumption Living” and “The Monk’s Way of Cleaning,” have met with increasing popularity in South Korea, as readers seek peace in its fast-paced, consumption-driven urban life. These books emphasize that happiness returns not by accumulating more, but by consciously spending less and removing non-essential things from life.

The author of “Low-Consumption Living,” published under the pen name Kazunotami, writes: “The reason I prefer low-consumption living is that it allows me to constantly ask myself what truly makes me happy. I am sure I feel happier now than when I spent money thoughtlessly.” In “The Monk’s Way of Cleaning,” author and Zen monk Shunmyo Masuno says: “In Zen Buddhism, happiness comes not from acquiring something new, but from letting go of what is not needed.”

“Low-Consumption Living” has sold over 20,000 copies in less than two months since its publication. “The Monk’s Way of Cleaning” has also reached its second print within the same period. These two books, instead of merely recommending saving or frugality, offer practical steps and delve into redefining the meaning of life.

Kazunotami explains that living with fewer possessions and less money does not mean enduring hardship or deprivation at all, but rather “returning to one’s true self.” She encourages readers to examine their unconscious spending and ask what truly brings them satisfaction. For instance, she suggests that instead of simply avoiding cafes to save money, one should ask: “What exactly do I enjoy about going to a cafe?” or “Can I experience the same feeling without spending money?” One of the key exercises in this book is a day titled “Zero Yen Day,” a challenge to break the assumption that pleasure always requires expense. Kazunotami writes: “‘Zero Yen Day’ is not just about not buying anything; it helps us believe that money is not necessarily needed to enjoy life. Reading an unfinished book, taking a walk without a mobile phone, or cleaning a corner of the house can enrich the day.”

The author also introduces methods like budgeting expenses at the beginning of the month and combining simple living with a little enjoyment at the end of the month. Living alone, she manages on about 700,000 won per month (approximately $500), including 500,000 won for rent. Her home lacks common household items like a microwave, refrigerator, washing machine, bed, or storage shelves. She buys food only for the day, washes clothes by hand, and owns only about ten items of clothing. With this simplicity, she experiences a deeper sense of peace and freedom than when she worked in Tokyo and spent more than twice as much. She says: “Before, I thought spending everywhere meant freedom. But I realized true freedom is spending ‘correctly’ on what truly matters. When happiness seems out of reach, trying low-consumption living might help bring back the feeling of joy.”

Shunmyo Masuno, who is the head of Kenko-ji Temple and a prominent Japanese garden designer, starts his day at five in the morning with cleaning: sweeping the garden and wiping the wooden corridors of the temple. He says: “Cleaning is a form of spiritual practice.” He urges everyone to clean for at least five minutes a day, no matter how busy they are. He explains: “In Zen, it is said: First cleanliness; then faith. After cleaning, everyone feels refreshed — not just because the space is clean, but because the dust within the heart has also gone.”

Masuno says cleaning is closely related to letting go of attachment. In an era where social media constantly feeds the desire for consumption, this is not easy. He asks: “Is this really necessary?”, “Is just having it good?”, or “Does it make life dreamy?” When you think this way, only what is truly essential remains. He also criticizes the modern habit of seeking complex cleaning tools and says: “Monks work with only four tools: a broom, a cloth, a duster, and a bucket. Cleaning means moving the body and dedicating time — not relying on tools or detergents.”

He emphasizes: “Cleaning is not something others do for us to be seen, and not something that can be neglected because it is hidden. It is for yourself.” By removing non-essential items and wiping away dust, Masuno says one can be freed from greed and ostentation: “When this happens, your true self, which was once hidden beneath thick clouds, appears. In that simple and clear state, you rediscover who you truly are.”

For this reason, he suggests that those who are at a crossroads in life, instead of immediately making big changes, start gradually with cleaning. At the entrance to temples, signs are seen including “Look closely at your feet” and “Arrange your shoes neatly.” Masuno interprets this as: “Focus on what you can do honestly right now.”