In Pics: Less is More Inside Japan’s Minimalistic Homes

Minimalist Saeko Kushibiki demonstrates where she reads in her room in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters)

Minimalism or the practise of only owning things you need is spreading through Japan, and how. It’s cheaper, less anxiety-inducing and much safer if you live in a dangerously earthquake prone area.

Influenced by the spare aesthetic of Japan’s traditional Zen Buddhism, these minimalists buck the norm in a fervently consumerist society by dramatically paring down their possessions. Influenced by them, Quint Lens brings to you, a carefully curated Reuters photo feature from inside the simple and classic homes of these minimalists.

Glasses and spices sit on a shelf in the apartment of minimalist Saeko Kushibiki in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Reuters) 

Minimalist Saeko Kushibiki stores away her futon mattress in her apartment in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters)

Utensils lie in a kitchen drawer in the home of minimalist Saeko Kushibiki in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

Minimalist Saeko Kushibiki demonstrates where she reads in her room in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters)

The bathroom of minimalist Fumio Sasaki is seen in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Reuters) 

Clothes hang in the wardrobe of minimalist Katsuya Toyoda in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

Minimalist Fumio Sasaki uses a wet wipe to clean the floor in his room in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo: Reuters)

Belongings lie in a drawer in the home of minimalist Katsuya Toyoda in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

Minimalist Katsuya Toyoda demonstrates how he sleeps in his room in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

Toothbrushes are seen in the bathroom of the apartment of minimalist Naoki Numahata in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

A kitchen counter is seen in the apartment of minimalist Naoki Numahata in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

Two-and-a-half year old Ei, the daughter of minimalist Naoki Numahata, sits in the family living-room in Tokyo. (Photo: Reuters) 

(All images and caption text have been taken from Reuters’ inputs.)

Quint Lens is a selection of the most vivid imagery created by our in-house pool of talent, and from across the web, created and curated with an eye for that Quintessential twist. In this section, you can find some of the most refreshing camera and mobile photography documenting current news events, history and everyday culture of India and the world, heartbreaking stories that can only be conveyed through pictures, celebrations and revolutions; basically, anything that simply needs to be CliQed!