How Japan saved its biggest city from collapse - Roman Krznaric

Key Concepts

• Mottainai: A Buddhist concept emphasizing resourcefulness, avoiding waste, and being content with “just enough.”
• Tokugawa Shogunate: The feudal military government of Japan that ruled from 1603 to 1867, responsible for significant societal and ecological reforms.
• Nengu: A crippling rice tax imposed on the peasant population by regional lords (daimyo) during the Tokugawa period.
• Kintsugi: The Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold lacquer, embracing imperfections.
• Boro: The Japanese tradition of patching and mending textiles, creating unique and durable garments.
• Circular Economy: An economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources.

Edo’s Transformation: From Ecological Collapse to Sustainable City

Four centuries ago, Edo (modern-day Tokyo) was a major global city, nearing a population of 1 million. However, intensive logging practices had resulted in widespread deforestation, leading to timber shortages, erosion, and frequent flooding that jeopardized food security. This situation prompted a remarkable transformation, turning Edo into a remarkably sustainable and efficient urban center within a few decades.

The Tokugawa Shogunate and its Reforms (1603-1867)

The unification of Japan under Tokugawa Ieyasu in 1600 marked the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate. This period saw sweeping reforms impacting the economy, landscape, and culture. Driven by concerns about external influence, the shogunate implemented a policy of sakoku – severe restrictions on foreign relations. Foreign traders were banned, and citizen emigration was heavily controlled. This isolationist policy necessitated a focus on bolstering internal production while simultaneously reducing consumption and minimizing waste.

These practices were deeply rooted in the Buddhist principle of mottainai, which advocates for resourcefulness and contentment with “just enough.” The shogunate actively promoted this philosophy as a guiding principle for societal behavior.

Ecological Restoration and Resource Management

Recognizing the severity of the ecological damage in Edo, the Tokugawa shogunate instituted limitations on logging and initiated large-scale reforestation programs. Villagers were initially required, and later compensated, to plant millions of trees. To address timber demand, strict rationing was implemented, and construction shifted towards standardized wooden components designed for disassembly and reuse.

This focus on waste reduction extended beyond forestry. Entire industries emerged dedicated to repurposing materials. Rice straw was transformed into rope and packaging, candle wax drippings were remolded, and broken items were repaired instead of discarded. Human waste was systematically collected and utilized as fertilizer, demonstrating a closed-loop system of resource management.

Household Practices and Traditional Crafts

Within households, a culture of reuse and repurposing flourished. Kimonos were repeatedly mended; when beyond repair, the fabric was repurposed into futon covers, diapers, cleaning cloths, and ultimately, fuel. Traditional crafts played a crucial role in extending the lifespan of goods. Kintsugi, the art of repairing ceramics with gold lacquer, exemplified the acceptance and celebration of imperfections and the value of restoration. The practice of boro, sewing together fragments of old cloth to create patched garments, resulted in durable and aesthetically unique textiles passed down through generations.

Cultural and Intellectual Developments

Despite its focus on internal development and restriction of external influence, the Tokugawa period witnessed a flourishing of arts, literature, and theater. The study of Chinese Confucianism and even European scientific texts was encouraged, demonstrating a selective openness to knowledge despite the broader policy of isolation.

Limitations and Challenges of the Tokugawa Period

While the Tokugawa period achieved significant advancements in sustainability and cultural development, it was not without its drawbacks. The shogunate enforced strict laws through harsh authoritarian rule. The society was deeply feudal, characterized by significant social and economic inequality. The peasant population bore a heavy burden through the nengu – a frequently crippling rice tax levied by regional lords (daimyo).

By the mid-19th century, rising inflation and increasing external pressure, including military intervention from the United States, destabilized the economy and ultimately led to the reopening of Japan to foreign trade and the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Lessons for the Modern Era

Despite its eventual end, the Tokugawa period offers valuable lessons for contemporary society. Edo’s transformation from a city on the brink of ecological collapse to a thriving cultural center demonstrates the potential for repair and the creation of beauty through resourcefulness. Given that only 7% of the global economy is currently circular, Edo’s history serves as a reminder that economies can be built not on endless consumption and waste, but on maximizing the value of limited resources.