Marie Kondo rose to international fame with her bestselling books and the “KonMari method,” which encouraged millions to tidy their homes – and their lives.

The concept is simple: keep only the items that “spark joy,” and bid a grateful farewell to the rest.

Now she’s out with a new book, “Letter from Japan,” which explores the Japanese customs and principles that inform her philosophy on tidying and mindful living.

The essay-style book features reflections on cultural touchstones, such as relaxing at an onsen, snacking on onigiri or reading manga. But it also dives into more figurative Japanese concepts like kawaii – the idea of finding charm and joy in cuteness.

“In our daily lives, we often live with the notion that, as adults, we must always behave properly and be composed,” Kondo told HuffPost via email through an interpreter.

“But simply having an item that you personally find ‘kawaii’ can bring a sense of softness and relaxation into your everyday routine – even if it isn’t meant to be shown to others.”

She’s personally a fan of the popular kawaii character Chiikawa, who adorns a small cosmetic pouch she carries.

“No matter how busy my day is, whenever I open my bag and see Chiikawa’s disarming smile, it somehow reminds me to pause and take a deep breath,” Kondo said. “It feels almost as if this tiny, adorable character is cheering me on – bringing a gentle warmth and calm to my heart. I think that’s the special effect of a kawaii character.”

She believes nurturing the sensibility to notice what’s kawaii in our lives can deepen our sense of gratitude and affection for the things we already have.

That same appreciation for life’s........

© HuffPost