The daily lives of ordinary people are replete with objects, common Things used in commonplace settings.
Objects like these exemplify the enduring appeal of simplicity and function: the Beauty of Everyday things..
Inspired by the work of the simple, humble craftsmen Yanagi encountered during his lifelong travels through Japan and Korea, they are an earnest defence of modest, honest, handcrafted Things - from traditional teacups to jars to cloth and paper.
They should, in short, be Things of beauty.
In an age of feeble and ugly machine-made things, these essays call for us to deepen and transform our relationship with the objects that surround us.
They should be natural and simple, sturdy and safe - the aesthetic result of wholeheartedly fulfilling utilitarian needs.
As such, writes Soetsu Yanagi, they should be made with care and built to last, treated with respect and even affection.
These objects are our constant companions in life.
The daily lives of ordinary people are replete with objects, common Things used in commonplace settings
