entertainment

Marie Kondo's Netflix show has cluttered Americans abuzz

21 Comments
By Sara Kamouni

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America is beyond cluttered. Most Americans own waaay too much stuff. A large number of American household can't use their garages because they are full of things other than cars and you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a self-storage facility. I drive by five on my way to work travelling less than 10 miles.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

I read her book a few years ago and it was soo helpful! I'll have to do it again bc unfortunately we've collected more crap, I'm sure of it. I'll honestly be surprised if we didn't.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It's an okay show but I was hoping for more good advice. Seems more like just start cleaning and it will clear up.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

It is interesting how her show is blowing up overseas yet I do not know a single Japanese person who has seen it and most of the people I ask do not even know who Marie Kondo is.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Never heard of her in Japan

1 ( +4 / -3 )

I would hate to try and arrange my life according to her "wisdom".  Sounds tooo stressful.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

I'm personally on board, but also hoping that this doesn't become mainstream, especially in the US. I need them to keep consuming to keep my stock investments humming!

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

The problem I noticed is not organizing stuff, I can do that already...the biggest problem is keeping things like that...entropy is our biggest enemy xD

Coming back home after a long day of working and/or drinking or whatever...I have absolutely no will to tidy up or lay out things in an organized manner so after a few days things are getting messy again lol...

Anyway she is more than welcome to come into my home and help me out a few times a month, I don't mind xD

2 ( +2 / -0 )

JoeintokyoToday 07:20 am JST

Another fad that will soon be history. People don't change their ways.

Actually not... people can drastically change, people can re-invent their lifes, it takes effort, but some people can lose weight, tidy their home, stop smoking or change any other habit, life-style... don't try to generalise something just because YOU are unable to change. : )

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It is interesting how her show is blowing up overseas yet I do not know a single Japanese person who has seen it and most of the people I ask do not even know who Marie Kondo is.

That may be because every other variety show or morning special has a spot with some “organization expert” or “charisma housewife” and such.

Kondo’s overplaying of the Buddhism struck a chord in the US where it’s considered exotic, but in Japan it would be considered tacky.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Kondo’s overplaying of the Buddhism struck a chord in the US where it’s considered exotic, but in Japan it would be considered tacky.

I don't know how Japanese would see her, but many Westerners certainly have a very exotic view of Japan and see the country as being much more spiritual or Zen or whatever than what you can see here with your own eyes. Kondo claims decluttering is "life-changing". Kuro mentions other life changes and I would say exercise, changing jobs, changing relationships, dieting, etc. are all more worthy of that expression than throwing out a few clothes. Keeping all your junk and simply turning the tv off is probably more life changing.

I hear that Kondo does not speak much English on the show, and I suspect that leaves a space where people can project an image of Japanese spirituality. Her being chatty in English would invite more analysis and probably break the spell.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

I'd like to see her trying to organize this place xD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTg-UuoP0JE

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Actually there is one celebrity on one of those DIY variety shows who gives advice on how to organize your house using ¥100 shop merchandise. She is far more interesting.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

she's so annoying

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I love to see her go to a hoarders house...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I'd love to see her try and clear a Japanese home. They have more crap than homes elsewhere.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Netflix knows how to promote and target shows - it's the new social media of shows

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Kondo’s overplaying of the Buddhism struck a chord in the US where it’s considered exotic, but in Japan it would be considered tacky.

It's actually not Buddhist in nature but Shinto. And, anecdotally, from what I've heard is that many Americans don't really understand the purpose behind "thanking" items, "waking up" books, "greeting" the house - many I've talked to thought it seemed a little hokey and new age-y.

I watched her show, and while I think people are either over hyping or completely misunderstanding what she does to the point of hatred. If you're looking to get rid of clutter and organize your home in a more efficient way, Kondo's methods (which are already common enough in Japanese manufacturing) of putting like objects together, keeping objects you use more often in easier to reach places, using boxes to separate things, etc., is very useful. I watched her show, and it gave me the inspiration I needed to organize my closet and bathroom. My kids in turn asked if they could go through their own clothing and had a lot of fun reorganizing their drawers.

She's not forcing people to get rid of their books, and she certainly isn't going to change your life if you are fine with how your home is already organized. But for those of us in the middle, who recognize the clutter and just need that little push to reorganize and reevaluate our belongings, I think she's really helpful.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

pandaclairToday  02:04 am JST

Kondo’s overplaying of the Buddhism struck a chord in the US where it’s considered exotic, but in Japan it would be considered tacky.

It's actually not Buddhist in nature but Shinto. And, anecdotally, from what I've heard is that many Americans don't really understand the purpose behind "thanking" items, "waking up" books, "greeting" the house - many I've talked to thought it seemed a little hokey and new age-y.

Pretty sure this is true of most Japanese who have only the most fundamental understanding of Buddhism and Shintoism.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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