Yadokari is his name, he was born in Japan and likes to live by the water. The hermit crab always carries its house with it, is small, efficient and flexible.

This makes him a symbol of the Japanese minimalist movement, which has set out to become a mega-trend in the western world. The phenomenon of the new renunciation is part of the growing resonance society. This may well be the reason why the cancer was a model when the Tiny House company of the same name was looking for a logo and a name: Yadokari!

Minimalism today – Renaissance of the Japanese Edo period?

Japanese minimalism is often attributed to the influence of Zen Buddhism. But already in the Japanese Edo period 400 years ago, a minimalist life with simple means was considered ideal. The Samurai in particular cultivated the minimalist principle – quite in contrast to the pomp of European elites in the Baroque. In the spirit of minimalism, Japanese screens and colored wood prints were deliberately left blank in order to give the viewer space to unfold his thoughts. These vacancies can still be understood today as a symbol of development and freedom. This idea is not unknown in our culture either.

“Less is more” is a saying that everyone knows

But, when do we live this motto? Most of the time we want more: We invent many things we don’t need and always buy something. Everything is geared towards growth. One could almost speak of a collective messiah seizure. We are all looking for something and nobody can say exactly what it is? Who are we? Minimalism teaches us that we are not our job and that we do not need as much money as we think we do. We can all start a new life by renouncing all those things that are unused in our possessions. More and more people are realizing this. The minimalism trend is also increasing the question of compatible business models and needs of postmodern minimalists for companies. But minimalism does not only refer to the physical world, but also to the psychological world. Minimalists also renounce relationships, which pull them down. Such a hermit crab lives alone in his Tiny House. But if you really like having someone around you, then you just move together again, or put your houses next to each other. That is why minimalism also stands for genuine human closeness and warmth of heart, for genuine encounters with authentic people. The idea of consciously focusing on what is essential in our lives and creating new freedom to lead a fulfilled life seems like a promise of salvation against the background of our growth-oriented consumer society. With all the stuff we throw away day after day, we haven’t been doing our planet any good for a long time. The packaging industry emits huge amounts of _CO2, and in the end a good part of the plastic waste floats around on the oceans.

People respond to the wasteful culture of our age

Minimalism is the solution to our dilemma. Anyone can practice minimalism. Minimalism means letting go: Letting go of the old ideals of hoarding, preserving and holding on. It is certainly not easy. Letting go is something many of us have yet to learn. And that is learning in a way that Yadokari and all his cancer colleagues are going: Two steps forward, one step back. But even the many small steps in “cancer style” can lead us to a big goal – a better world!