Spring has arrived. It’s the time of year when tree leaves begin to grow, flowers blossom and armies of cleaning experts share their knowledge with us. But the decluttering philosophy of one Japanese organizing expert, Marie Kondo, has been adopted by millions of Americans. Two years ago, her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” was published here. Now there’s a new sequel: “Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up.”
Yet Kondo’s prescriptions for a clutter-free life aren’t for everyone. The intense Kondo devotion to “sparking joy” has sparked a backlash.