Wa - The Art of Balance

by Kaki Okumura

A beautifully illustrated guide to 4 simple and easy-to-adopt daily practices based on the Japanese lifestyle: Nourish, Move, Rest and Socialize.

In this gorgeously presented book, with watercolor illustrations by the author throughout, learn a new and revolutionarily simple secret to leading a long, healthy and happy life from Japanese wellness expert Saki Ohashi. Her set of 4 unique pillars, based on her observations of life in the US and in Japan, seem simple, but together they form a holistic solution to gaining balance and vitality in all aspects of life.

Nourish. Discard dieting tactics for principles such as Kuchisabishii, or ‘lonely mouth’ to empathize with your body’s impulses. Design your meals around Harahachi-bunme, or 8/10s of the stomach.

Move. Discover a three-minute stretch routine that keeps Tokyo’s elderly people young. Bring the joyful spirit of undoukai, or Sports Day, into your day by celebrating movement rather than enforcing it.

Rest. Like a true shokunin artisan whip up a cup of traditionally brewed matcha tea, and take a moment for curiosity in every day.

Socialize. Improve your connection with others instantly with everyday Japanese salutations, or aisatsu, or instill the habit of gifting others with omiyage.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Mental Health, Reference, Japan, Philosophy

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2023

Reviews

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't entirely sold on this book to begin with. I thought it was a cook book masquerading as self-help (there are quite a few recipes included). However it grew on me. I found it very interesting even though it is filled with mere common sense. You do still need someone to point out the obvious when you're stuck in a downward spiral particularly.

In Wa we are given a common sense approach to life from the Japanese point of view and you can't really argue with a race that has some of the healthiest and long lived individuals on the planet.

I've been fascinated by Japanese history and culture for quite a while. So, whilst trying to learn the language it is important to understand a culture that is quite alien in the western world. I won't give anything away but the Japanese way of looking at life, health, eating and socialising is as different as it is attractive.

I'd recommend the book to anyone who'd like to alter the way they look at the world. I found the recipes easy to follow and I learned more about Japanese thinking. An interesting read.

[Niklas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to not give this book 5 stars for the amount of love, care, and thoughtfulness that went into it alone, but fret not: Kaki Okumura's Wa — The Art of Balance is more than just beautifully illustrated, well-researched, and printed on quality paper (hardcover edition).

Abandoning the usual "work out harder, cook more meals, get more excited!" approach so often found in Western health literature for a softer, more gentle tone, Okumura's suggestions sound so slight and innocuous, I couldn't help but try them as I went along.

I found myself craving spinach, eating salad, and enjoying an apple for dessert. I became more mindful of how much I ate, and I began a regular Makko Ho stretching routine. The latter might be the stickiest specific change I've made for now, but when it comes to making starting feel safe and new habits easy enough to attempt, this book truly excels.

The most fascinating insight from the book, however, is its consistent theme itself: The single best way to live a healthier life might be to broaden our understanding of what constitutes a healthy meal, workout, or activity to begin with.

What if not only chicken, rice, and broccoli count as healthy food? What if you don't have to run the half-marathon distance each week or be the soccer team captain to get enough exercise?

If a long walk can be part of your health regimen, and buying a gift for someone can be how you connect, suddenly, working out and socializing become more accessible. There now is a path through the maze of wellbeing where, before, there was none — and that is Okumura's greatest contribution with this book.

Whether you're a gym rat or couch potato, Michelin chef or hobby pizza baker, event planner or dedicated gamer, chances are, Wa — The Art of Balance will extend your perspective on what it means to live healthily and happily — and even if that only means adjusting your routines ever so slightly here and there, you'll be glad you broadened your horizons with this book.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Balance

This was a very good book on various Japanese customs and cultural beliefs.

I thought it was a very interesting book and got a lot out of it.

I do have to say as a Christian myself, a lot of the spiritual and buddhist practices detailed in this book do not exactly follow my own personal beliefs. But, that being, said I was still able to enjoy the meaning behind the chapters and was able to better understand the art of balance in Japanese society.

I also like how the book detailed some of the meanings and literal descriptions of what various sayings are in Japanese and their origin.

Very good cultural read that I would recommend.

3.6/5

[Murtaza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaki Okumura is a truly gifted writer who offers a gentle yet profound gateway into the beauty of Japanese culture. Her thoughtful writing reflects a deep appreciation for the small, meaningful practices that define daily life in Japan. As a longtime follower of her blog and weekly newsletter, I’ve always found her insights refreshing—often shedding light on cultural perspectives I hadn’t encountered before.

Wa – The Art of Balance is no exception. This book offers a soothing, inspiring read, grounded in the Japanese approach to living with intention. Through simple yet powerful concepts—Nourish, Move, Rest, and Socialize—Okumura invites readers to embrace balance, mindfulness, and spiritual fulfillment.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a calm and beautiful shift in their lifestyle. It's not just a guide—it’s a heartfelt invitation to live with more harmony, presence, and joy.

[Kirsty (KayBeth Bookish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was very excited to be accepted for an ARC of this book, but unfortunately what I was hoping to gain and what I actually gained ended up being very different to one another. 

On the surface, this is a book that will explore four areas, or 'pillars' of Japanese living, focusing on nourishment, rest, movement and socialisation. I was expecting a book full of Japanese customs and to learn about the Japanese way of life in a way that would make me rethink my own way of living. 

Firstly, the things I liked. I did learn more about certain aspects of Japanese living and will be looking more into the idea of creating an altar at home to pray to. I loved the recipes featured and have found a new inspiration to try more Japanese food and maybe even give tofu another try! 

Unfortunately that's where it ended for me. 

While the book did give me some moments of thought, I found that the presentation was lacking. The introduction made me very eager to dive in but by halfway through the first pillar I was bored. The book read to me more like someone's PhD thesis than a book that gave me the joy of learning another culture. I honestly felt like I was reading an academic text and struggled to want to keep reading. I also personally felt there was far too much repetition with the author finding multiple ways to say the same thing throughout. 

I also felt that the author put a bit too much emphasis on weight and food. She started the nourish chapter strong by saying that nourishment isn't only about food, and I hoped for more, but then continued to spend the rest of the chapter solely discussing food. There was also very little accommodation or mention of people who may have health problems that stop them doing the things mentioned and at times it felt there was an air of "I can do it, so can you!" which felt a little preachy and ableist. 

All in all this did have some interesting bits of information but for each chapter, the first couple of paragraphs pretty much contained all I needed to know and I ended up skimming through a lot of the book because I don't enjoy page after page of statistics or comparing Japan to the western world. This unfortunately wasn't the book I'd been hoping for and wasn't a good fit for me. 

[Erica Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kaki Okumura's contemplative writing style is well known on Medium and via her more intimate
compassionate newsletter, which subscribers look forward to for its meditative approach to life.

Now she has compiled her authentic philosophical ideas into a new inspiring book, Wa-The Art of Balance ~ (Live Healthier, Happier and Longer the Japanese Way). The book is a wonderful salve for these intense times. Using an organizing system for well being, “The Four Pillars,” Okumura details harmonious ways to integrate simple and nourishing foods, moderate enjoyable exercise, rest and relaxation, and our social existence ~ into a more mindful life on a daily basis.

Okumura draws on Japanese approaches to living in greater balance with one's self, one's kitchen, one's body, and others. She is deeply honest about our daily habits as they wax and wane due to natural rhythms of life and the normal social and internal pressures of existence ~ giving important wisdom its proper place to create deeper meaning with the self, the spirit, one's body, and others.

Her research covers Japanese ways of thinking about food, Blue Zone practices, life long exercise tips and social support over developmental phases of life, spiritual tenets of eating well and more thoughtfully~ and simple ways to transform one's approach to daily happiness.

Part philosophic manual, part cookbook, part modern treatise on how to navigate our own moods and ups and downs ~ Okumura's thoroughly modern, compassionate and wonderful book became a sanctuary I turned to each evening as I pondered the challenges of the day.

From traditional Japanese cooking strategies and spices that combine wonderful ingredients that add healthful elements and Umami to any meal, to the history of the Japanese Bento Box, I learned a lot from each chapter, and looked forward to the next chapter until the book was finished and placed on my bookshelf near cookbooks, art books and classical philosophy.

I also referenced her thorough index of terms while grocery shopping, and turned to her illustrations for cooking inspiration throughout the month.

Okumura's book changed the way I see life, food, exercise, cooking, spices, nutrition, portion design and our overall well being. The book is a treasure that will stand the test of time, for its principles are universal.

She is also a talented and charming illustrator, and her beautiful artwork highlights the chapters in the book. Her interpretation of the four pillars set a foundation for a better existence for all who might venture down Ms. Okumura's contemplative culinary and mindful paths.

In the book she details her own challenges and discoveries from comparative dietary practices and lifestyles in America and Japan. She weaves in lovely and accessible recipes and mindfulness ideas to add to one's kitchen routine, shopping or work schedule. And she relates her ideas in a totally original way that is neither heavy-handed nor dogmatic, but rather spiritually uplifting, deeply practical and inspiring.

Like her kindhearted illustrated newsletters, Wa - The Art of Balance, is a bit like stumbling on a candle lit temple in Kyoto ~ only the structure of the temple is the foundational four pillars ~ for cooking, appreciating life ~ and for greater well being.

This is a beautiful new work worth exploring at your own pace with a great deal of insight to share with those seeking greater meaning in all areas of life. The wisdom and lessons from this book will stay with the reader long after reading ~ and I am grateful for the quiet power of its message.

[Alex Townley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely have mixed feelings on this one.

On the one hand, Wa as a book brings some really core elements of Japanese living into Western sight, and the author is not wrong that we (as a very generalised population) have a lot of issues with some of the pillars mentioned. Through our own habits or society's pushing (for the sake of making money usually), we are exposed to larger portions, cheaper processed food, promises of quick fixes and easy solutions to life's problems (for a price). There are lessons to be learnt from the Japanese culture that the author works through in 4 clear sections, and each one does have some important points.

My concern, as others here have mentioned, is the strong focus on weight as an equivalent to health, and a lack of inclusion or understanding around Disabled people or anyone without the ability to follow along with some of the instructions. I would encourage people to look into books like The Obesity Code by Dr Jason Fung or some of Tim Spector or Michael Mosley's work on the subject of diet and weight. I don't disagree there are links, but it seems a little one track in this book. Some of the writing felt a little preachy and repetitive, but that could be subjective.

I do find the pillars interesting, and there is certainly a focus on that balanced middle approach, which is good, but I would just put a caution in to anyone like myself with a history of chronic dieting and body dysmorphia, or any ED history, that this may not be the book for you.

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Living well is living a balanced life. Kaki Okumura brings together wisdom gained from her deep study of Japanese culture and ways of being to share a unifying philosophy around “wa,” the art of balance. Raised in New York and Tokyo, Okumura leverages her personal experiences and understanding of Western sensibilities about well-being and self-care to incorporate healthy habits rooted in Japanese traditions.

Good-quality sleep ensures physical energy that will help to fuel quality time with loved ones. By emphasizing the essential elements of rest, movement, a healthful diet, and social connections, Okumura shows the integration of physical and mental well-being that centers on independence, strength, empathy, and joy.

"Wa: Art of Balance" offers outstanding perspectives for Western readers to apply Japanese philosophy to achieve excellent health. As a writer, illustrator, and wellness coach, Okumura understands the stresses of modern Western life fueled by competition and hard work. She discusses healthy lifestyle habits from Japanese culture in a way that makes sense to readers from different cultural contexts. I reviewed a digital copy of the beautifully illustrated "Wa: Art of Balance," which reflects the author’s visual artistry and aesthetic. The book feels as it reads: affirming, wholesome, thoughtful, and level-headed.

[_booksagsm · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Wa: Art of Balance" by Kaki Okumura offers an insightful and beautifully illustrated guide to achieving a balanced and healthy life through the lens of Japanese philosophy. The author, drawing from her unique background of growing up in both New York and Tokyo, skillfully blends her understanding of Western sensibilities with deep insights into Japanese culture. The book presents four pillars – Nourish, Move, Rest, and Socialize – as a holistic approach to well-being. Okumura emphasizes the importance of quality sleep, physical activity, mindful eating, and meaningful social connections in fostering overall health and happiness.

The incorporation of Japanese traditions and principles into daily habits, such as Kuchisabishii and Harahachi-bunme, adds a cultural richness to the wellness practices discussed. The three-minute stretch routine and the concept of celebrating movement rather than enforcing it bring a refreshing perspective to fitness. The book is not only informative but also affirming, wholesome, and level-headed, reflecting the author's expertise as a writer, illustrator, and wellness coach. Overall, "Wa: Art of Balance" is a visually appealing and practical guide that transcends cultural boundaries, providing Western readers with valuable insights and actionable steps towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

[Cassandra L. Manna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this four-step process on leading a more balanced life from another cultural perspective. As an American, with an individualistic culture focus, it’s interesting - and a great counter balance - to read about a lifestyle focus from Japan, with its heightened community-focused culture. Light and easy, with some delicious recipes!

Favorite Quotes:
1. "Good health is about freedom and possibility, not restriction or rules - and the key to achieving this is understanding the art of balance." (Page 222)

Rate Procedure:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I loved the book so much I would reread it again and would recommend to a friend OR it was such a delightful read/beautifully written book, it deserves 5 stars even if I don’t intend to reread it.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Thoroughly enjoyed the book, could not do put it down, would recommend to a friend, but do not need to read again.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Probably a good book that I enjoyed but there was something about it I did not love (e.g. the writing style, the POV, etc.). I would only recommend to a friend if it was their "type" of book.
⭐️⭐️ - A book I have below average feelings for and it would not come with a recommendation from me but I would mention it in conversation if related to the book topic at issue.
⭐️ - I finished the book but I hated every second of it.

[Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Wa - The Art of Balance" by Kaki Okumura teaches us the way to balance our lives with the four pillars of nourishment, exercise, rest, and socialization. I really enjoyed this audiobook and listened to the whole thing twice!

For Nourishment, she spoke of moderation in all you eat, smaller portion sizes that are used in Japan versus the much bigger ones used in America, and eating to be eighty percent full, not completely full. She also spoke of enjoying local fresh foods and produce as opposed to eating too much processed food.

For the Exercise section, she spoke a finding an exercise you like to do everyday and not trying to work too hard, but instead focus on small amounts of consistent action - maybe even 3 minutes a day, but do it every day. She talked about a type of stretch that was used in Japan but didn't explain it. Perhaps there were pictures in the physical book.

For the Rest portion She recommended decluttering your space and setting up a personally
meaningful altar.
There was more about spirituality and she explained how the Japanese word for rest is the combination of symbols of person and tree and the concept of a person sitting with their back against a tree relaxing. She spoke of going to outdoor nature spaces to find rest and peace.

In the Socialization section, she spoke about how to find friends. First of all you must accept that you are worthy to be friends with. Then just be open to meeting new people and say hello to them. When you have a friend, a combination of kindness to them plus empathy will help establish and continue that connection. Try to anticipate their needs and desires and offer that before you are asked for help.

There were a lot of recipes described which I found difficult to understand without pictures and I don't believe many of the ingredients are available to a majority of people in the U.S.

The narrator, Cindy Kay, did a nice job and had a calm soothing voice.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allow yourself a more balanced way of life

I really enjoyed this book. Wa, the Japanese way of balance, contains a lot of common sense and compassion for ourselves and others.

From not being too hard on ourselves in terms of diet and exercise to how important connection with others is to our health. There are some really interesting insights to Japanese philosophy and culture, including tempting recipes and explanations of some of the Japanese characters, or kanji, and how they are combined to create new words and concepts.

I found this a very grounding read and finished it feeling refreshed and thoughtful. I gained some really useful insights from this book and hope you will too.

I was given this book from the author via netgalley only for the pleasure of reading and leaving an honest review should I choose to.

[Makaela Kingsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remember the calming feeling of listening to Bob Ross "add some happy little trees"? Well that's how I feel when I read "Wa - the Art of Balance: Live Healthier, Happier and Longer the Japanese Way." With her gentle writing style, her gorgeous watercolor illustrations, and her perfectly-selected recipes, author Kaki Okumura brings tranquility to my day every time I crack open this book. And - in addition to tranquility - I also get actionable ideas, like walking a longer route to get extra fresh air and steps, or reallocating my procrastination time to actual rest time. I highly recommend this book as a gift for yourself and for someone in your life who could use a little dose of peace.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole book didn't go as deep as I initially thought after reading the blurb (it's a very short text, rather), but it did provide some good points at each pillar. I especially liked the Nourish pillar as it pulled back the curtain on Japanese living and showcased principles that can be easily applied worldwide.
What didn't really do it for me was the tone of the book. It read very dry and rather stilted for a lot of chapters (actually, the strongest part was Nourish, and the rest felt repetitive and rather surface-y). I was expecting the level of detail and principles of the Nourish section, which opened the book strongly, but sadly, it felt like this didn't carry through.

[Nina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in the United States all my life, I’ve always been curious about how other cultures approach health and wellness. Not to my surprise, Japan seems to approach lifestyle habits, values, and beliefs regarding health very differently! Writing-wise, I appreciated the data-backed information with a mix of personal anecdotes.

Overall reading this book left me feeling optimistic and grounded, hoping to incorporate some of the mentioned viewpoints and suggestions in my daily life. Highly recommend this read :)

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a reader who lived in Japan for many years, I wasn't expecting to learn anything new, but rather was curious to see what would be presented and how.
First of all, the illustrations are lovely and add a lot to the book in terms of presentation. I also thought it was quite readable and the author did a lot to offer variety such as adding in her own experiences, recipes, Japanese vocabulary etc. All in all, it was a sweet little book.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this balanced books.

[Bhanu Dhir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet simple message

What a beautiful and gentle personal insight into well-being. No proselytising, no magic bullets, and no shortcuts. The author's experience of US and Japanese culture offers a useful comparator, especially when comparing the number of deaths from Covid-19.

I love the illustrations and recipes, but don't be fooled. This is not a superficial attempt at a fast buck. The book is as thoughtful as the author's weekly emails and leaves the reader to make choices based on a now wider set of options.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a thought provoking little gem! The insight into Japanese culture was fascinating and the author really brings to life how you can incorporate small changes into the four key areas of your lifestyle to improve your health and overall wellbeing.

Beautifully illustrated and the recipes dotted throughout added an extra layer of interest and inspiration.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Sab · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful read for anyone looking for a refreshing, positive perspective on wellness culture. The author lets us in on her own experiences with health and wellness and provides beautiful illustrations throughout. There are even simple yet delicious and nutritious recipes included.

Using Japanese lifestyle principles instead of harsh diet protocols and demanding extreme changes, Wa teaches readers to make healthier choices by finding balance in caring for yourself. The four pillars of the book; Nourish, Move, Rest, and Socialize, are backed up by scientific studies, historical anecdotes, and cultural wisdom.

My favorite thing about Wa is that it’s not another diet manual telling readers that we need to adhere to strict rules & change ourselves completely to find happiness and longevity. Wa acknowledges the struggles people have in making healthy choices and reminds us that mindfulness, caring for yourself and others, and trying new things that make you happy are great ways to make positive changes that actually last. As someone who doesn’t typically read this genre of nonfiction, I found this book to be very thoughtful and engaging. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in learning tools for a happier, healthier lifestyle, and anyone interested in learning more about Japanese culture in general. I am very excited to try the recipes in the book and share with my family and friends!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful summary inside Japanese culture from western-ish perspective. "Hara-hachi bumne" I've heard referenced and described, but not understood til now. Some additional history and a few recipes included. Still craving karage on cabbage... And a trip back to Japan.
Nice quick honest encouraging hopeful self-help-ish book. Arigato.

[M.J. Blehart]

Balance for health, wellness, and wellbeing

I follow Kaki Okumura on Medium, so when I learned about this book I had to read it. This is one of the most approachable means for holistic living I've found, and will recommend it as a must-read for anyone working to improve their health, wellness, and wellbeing.

[Μαρία Ν. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!!! I picked it up because I am subscribed to Kaki Okumura's newsletter and 'cause I am a big lover of Japanese culture! It has inspired me a lot and given me food for thought! I will try to incorporate the advices of the book in my life, like the Makkho Ho stretches for example which I currently do twice daily.

[Chantal Agapiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the narrator’s voice and style.
This wasn’t the typical “food-health” approach, therefore I learned to look at it in another way.
One of the quotes I related to most “You can clock out of work, but you can’t clock out of health.”
It’s such an important nuance, as we tend to focus more on work than on health.
A sustainable approach with a longtime view to living a healthy lifestyle.

[Jodie Schick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book.

There’s something to be said about Japanese wellness experts. This book outlines four simple and easy to practice techniques to incorporate in to your daily routine to mindfully live a long, happy and healthy life. No jargon, just a simple holistic approach…. and some great recipes. Highly recommended, and a nice break from fiction! Easy to read and enjoyable.

[Voir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, clear and simple reminders about the little consistent things we can do in daily life to maintain our health and wellness with particular focus on the balance of nourishing food, movement, recharging and connecting with others. This lovely inspiring book is a breath of fresh air in our busy over complicated world. I totally enjoyed it as a relaxing read on New Year’s Day.

[Błażej Kosmowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great counter-balance to other books I've read recently, which focused on maximising performance, effectiveness, discipline etc. Without any hesitation it ends up in my TOP10 of books related to self-growth.

[Anna Gabriela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mega przyjemna Książka. Przyjemnie tłumaczy jak wprowadzić równowagę do swojego codziennego życia. Raczej ogólnikowo ale zawsze to dobry początek ;)
plús, japońskie ciekawostki urozmaicają czytanie :)

[Nolan Kagetsu · Rating 5 out of 5]

My preview copy arrived early! Wonderful insights on wellness!
I emjoy the author's weekly e-mails as well.
I highly recommend.

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it has had a very positive impact on me.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

[Dan Gabree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. looks at various aspects of how we take care of ourselves and reach a peaceful happiness. Not your typical self-help book. Better.