Ancillary 7

The KonMari Method

Preliminary Thesis: While many claim that the enthusiastic acceptance of Mrs. Kondo’s book by American audiences is due simply to our excessive propensity to buy, I argue that the underlying reason for the mass popularity of her method is the semblance of control that she helps her American audience regain. Missing the important influence that led her to adopt this method- Shintoism, where respect towards all objects is a primary value, Americans may simply see this newfound control as a calling to both consume, and dispose of more.

When Marie Kondo debuted her show on Netflix about 3 years ago, Americans instantly accepted and popularized it. Whether it be through popular culture, social media, or something else, it was generally accepted throughout North America as the new “trendy” way to clean, organize, and most importantly, get rid of the goods we no longer have use for. For the American, the appeal of the KonMari Method is quite apparent. In American culture of mass consumption, consumerism, and fast fashion, KonMari gave people a way to find order in places closest to their hearts and minds: their home. Yet, as the show became popular, an interesting phenomenon appeared: thrift stores, donation centers, and other charitable organizations in America became inundated with donated goods, some usable, but many of the goods were in such poor condition that they became a burden to the organizations, as they had to find their own way to dispose of the goods. Therein lies the problem. If the Americans had been paying closer attention to the original meaning of the KonMari method, this would have not happened. Based on her Shinto religion, Marie teaches her audiences that all objects should be treated with respect, as they all have an inherent Kami or spirit. Throwing the unwanted objects, without respect to whether a second hand owner would actually appreciate them translates to disrespect, which inherently misses the point of the original method. The missing of the original intentions of Mrs. Kondo’s method I believe is due to the fundamental difference between American and Japanese culture and religion. Americans, miss the point here as the KonMari method is in direct disagreement with consumerist values, which places as little respect on the product as possible, so the consumer will possess an inclination to purchase the next popular thing.