Summary of “The Beauty of Everyday Things” by Soetsu Yanagi
In “The Beauty of Everyday Things,” Soetsu Yanagi writes essays that concern the aesthetics of life in general but focus specifically on founding beauty in ordinary handmade objects. Yanagi Soetsu, Japanese philosopher and art critic, is one of the central figures in the Mingei (folk craft) movement that intends to celebrate and preserve the beauty of the craftsmanship of traditional handmade objects from Japan. In his essays, Yanagi argues that beauty is not something belonging to high art or luxurious items; it is found in the simple, day-to-day-useful objects decorated with art.
The Philosophy of Mingei
The philosophy that underpins his essays is referred to as well is Mingei, meaning folk craft. Mingei emphasizes strongly objects of beauty developed by unknown common craftsmen for common people. Often, the objects are utilitarian; tools, dishes, textiles; are not aimed at being works of art but gain natural beauty by their simplicity and functionality and are created sincerely. Yanagi believed that this type of object, produced with the intention of service and not display, had a genuine beauty, unlike that of elite objects.
Yanagi, whose spirit of craftsmanship was more based on the Zen philosophy of simplicity, naturalness, and imperfection, said that he appreciated objects which are “anonymous.” These objects seemed to be … Read more