Ikigai as Life's Navigation Where to Seek the Japanese Secret of Happiness?

**"Do not ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. The world needs people who have come alive." – Howard Thurman**

Ikigai - Japan's philosophy - map of Okinawa "Ikigai" is one of those unique Japanese words that doesn't have a direct equivalent in other languages. Deeply rooted in the culture of the Land of the Rising Sun, at its core, it refers to an individual's passion, purpose, and the meaning of life. In the prefecture of Okinawa, renowned for the exceptional longevity of its residents, "ikigai" is an integral part of daily life. But what exactly is "ikigai"? How can it influence the quality of our life? Does it genuinely affect our life's quality and longevity? And is "ikigai" accessible for us, the representatives of Western culture? How do we seek it, and what can it change in our lives? Let's uncover the secrets of this captivating concept.

Genesis...

The term "ikigai" is a combination of two Japanese words: "iki", meaning "life", and "gai", which can be translated as "value" or "purpose". Literally, "ikigai" could be understood as "the value of life" or "the purpose of life". There's a subtlety to this concept that can't be fully captured in a straightforward translation. In the Japanese language, it conveys a deeper and more intricate essence, reflecting what makes life worth living and provides a sense of fulfillment. It's not merely a 'happy place' or 'goal'. In fact, ikigai permeates every aspect of a Japanese person's life - from daily routines and career choices to spiritual practices and interpersonal relationships. In Japanese society, where harmony and balance are treasured, ikigai becomes the key to understanding how an individual can achieve full fulfillment in harmony with the world around them.

While "Ikigai" signifies a kind of life's purpose or "reason for being", this label is a simplification, emphasizing the romantic nature of the concept but overlooking its critically vital and often underappreciated facet – its realism. "Ikigai" lies at the intersection of four fundamental elements of human life: what you love (passion), what you're good at (vocation), what you can be compensated for (profession), and what the world needs (mission). The point where these four elements converge is an individual's "ikigai", their true life's purpose. The essence of "ikigai" is not just finding balance among these four areas, but also understanding how each influences the quality of life and the skill to fully integrate these interdependencies into everything one does – both the great endeavors and (perhaps most importantly) the daily routines.

History...

Though the concept of "ikigai" is widely associated today with modern notions of wellness and self-actualization, its roots stretch deep into the annals of Japanese history. It's not entirely clear when the term "ikigai" first emerged, but it is certain that it has been a key component of the Japanese life philosophy for centuries. Ancient Japanese texts, such as the "Man'yōshū", the oldest existing anthology of poetry from the 8th century, refer to this concept, suggesting that "ikigai" was not only an individual pursuit but also an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Over time, in various historical epochs of Japan, "ikigai" evolved, adapting to changing social and cultural circumstances. During the Edo period (1603-1868), as Japanese society became more stable and structured, the notion became more individualized, focusing on finding one's personal life purpose among people such as craftsmen, artists, and philosophers. In the Meiji era (1868-1912), facing the modernization and westernization of Japan, "ikigai" began to be viewed as a way to strike a balance between tradition and modernity, helping the Japanese find their place in a rapidly changing world.

The contemporary Western world discovered "ikigai" relatively recently, primarily due to the works of individuals like Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, who penned the best-selling book "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life". This book introduced the concept of "ikigai" to Western readers, emphasizing its relevance in the context of the longevity of Okinawa residents and as a general life strategy. Today, "ikigai" has become trendy in many Western countries, where individuals seek ways to find deeper meaning in life and align passion with profession. And while in itself it is a trend that can bring happiness and growth to individuals, it's essential not to let the idea of "ikigai" be diluted in its cultural translation to the Western consumerist language. It's a profound concept that encompasses broad and varied aspects of an individual's life, not just romantically but most importantly in a practical and realistic manner.

Vinn diagram showing basic areas of happiness and purpose, ikigai, Japan.

Practice...

Ikigai, although difficult to translate directly, can be described as the intersection of four fundamental spheres of human life. To precisely illustrate this idea, Marc Winn created a Venn diagram in which he presented four main categories: "What you love" (passion), "What you are good at" (vocation), "What you can be paid for" (profession), and "What the world needs" (mission). At the point where these four spheres intersect, one finds an individual's ikigai – their unique life purpose that brings a sense of fulfillment and completeness.

Striving to discover one's ikigai means constantly seeking a balance between these four aspects. In daily life, this can manifest in various forms: from choosing a profession that is also a passion, to engaging in activities that benefit society, to making conscious life decisions considering what truly matters to us. Understanding and acting in harmony with one's ikigai can bring not just satisfaction but also a sense that every day is a life fully lived and fulfilled.

While presenting examples of ikigai in action in a format as brief as an online article such as this one can be risky, but let's try it once for easier understanding. "Ikigai" is present in many nuances of an average Japanese person's daily life. For instance, a dance teacher who is passionate about dancing might find that their ikigai lies in passing on knowledge to the younger generation, while simultaneously earning a living and contributing to the community by organizing local dance events. An older individual might see their ikigai in the daily tending of a garden, finding both passion and benefits for the neighborhood by supplying fresh vegetables. For a young programmer, ikigai might manifest in creating apps to help people with daily challenges, combining technical skills with the desire to benefit others. A chef in a local restaurant might find their ikigai in daily cooking of dishes that not only taste exquisite but also reflect traditional Japanese culture and provide nourishment to the local community. In each of these cases, the daily routine becomes a means to express deeper meaning and fulfillment through ikigai.

In the above examples, it's noteworthy that the profession, what we do for money to sustain ourselves, is also our passion, something we'd love to do even if we weren't paid for it. At the same time, by extending our passion to social actions, doing what we love, we bring to the world (or local community) what it finds good and useful (in our opinion). Our life, albeit unhurried and without obsession, revolves around what is dear and important to us, our passion. Therefore, every element of this life also becomes important and valuable to us in this way. Could this be the key to happiness?

In Anime...

In reality, manga and anime seldom use the term "ikigai" in a literal manner. In Japanese culture as a whole, this term isn't frequently voiced; it more often sets the tone of works than explicitly naming them. However, even if it's not mentioned outright, many series delve into the concept of searching for a purpose in life. A purpose that, over time, becomes the main theme encompassing all of a character's aspects of life - personal, professional, romantic. As it usually goes with passion.

"March Comes in Like a Lion" (3-gatsu no Lion) is a series that explores the life of a young professional shogi player, Rei Kiriyama. After losing his family in an accident, Rei struggles with depression and searches for meaning in life. Although the term "ikigai" isn't used directly, we see Rei striving to find balance between his passion for shogi, his desire to earn a living, and his quest to find his place in the world while bringing value to others.
"Barakamon" tells the story of Seishū Handa, a young calligrapher who's sent to a small rural island as a punishment for assaulting an older art critic. On this island, Handa rediscovers his passion for calligraphy and attempts to understand what being an artist truly means. While the word "ikigai" isn't directly mentioned, Handa grapples with concepts associated with ikigai, such as finding passion, vocation, and meaning in life through art.
"Silver Spoon" (Gin no Saji) is about Yugo Hachiken, a city boy who decides to attend an agricultural school in the countryside. Throughout the series, Yugo discovers the value of hard work, the importance of real food, and searches for his place in the world. As with other series, even though "ikigai" isn't directly used, we see the protagonist striving to find his unique life's purpose in the world of agriculture.

These series, although not explicitly using the term "ikigai," perfectly capture the spirit of the concept. In each, the main characters search for meaning, passion, and vocation in life, striving to uncover what truly matters to them.

In Modern Times...

W Ikigai - Japanese secret to a long and hgappy life hile ikigai has deep roots in Japanese tradition, it has become a popular concept worldwide, especially after the publication of "Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life" by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles. In contemporary literature, ikigai is often used as a tool for understanding motivation, passion, and the pursuit of fulfillment. Beyond books that directly discuss this concept, many novels, stories, and essays informally explore the notion of seeking life's purpose, even if they might not directly refer to the term "ikigai". As such, in many literary works and films, characters often undergo the process of discovering their individual life's purpose, resonating deeply with the idea of ikigai.

Regarding research on ikigai, apart from the aforementioned book by García and Miralles, there are several titles worth noting. "The Little Book of Ikigai" by Ken Mogi offers a profound dive into the concept, providing practical advice on incorporating ikigai into daily life. "Ikigai Diet: The Secret Japanese Way to Live a Long and Happy Life" by Sachiaki Takamiya focuses on merging the ikigai concept with Japanese dietary habits. For those interested in an academic approach, "Ikigai in Japanese Culture: A Cultural, Historical, and Comparative Study" by Akihiro Yoshida is an extensive study on the historical roots and cultural context of ikigai. It's also worth exploring university libraries and databases like JSTOR, where numerous scholarly articles on the topic can be found.

In video games...

Understanding the concept of ikigai within the context of video games requires a certain level of interpretation, but there are titles that, while not explicitly using the term "ikigai", embody attitudes and narratives akin to this Japanese philosophy:

1. Stardew Valley: As previously mentioned, this game allows players to leave the corporate world to run a farm in the countryside. The player discovers what truly brings joy, be it farming, fishing, or building relationships with the villagers. The game focuses on finding balance and satisfaction in daily life.

2. Spiritfarer: In this emotional management game, players assume the role of a ferry boat manager who helps souls transition into the afterlife. The game prompts reflection on what truly matters in life, assisting characters in fulfilling their final wishes and understanding their own ikigai before departing.

3. Journey: While the game doesn't center on traditional concepts of work or passion, its profound narrative about travel, self-discovery, and striving for a greater purpose mirrors the spirit of ikigai in seeking deeper meaning.

4. The Sims: This might be a title the reader didn't expect here. Though it might seem trivial at first glance, many aspects of this game allow for an exploration of ikigai. Characters (Sims) have various passions, careers, and aspirations, and the player's task is to help them achieve a balance between work, family, passions, and the needs of the community.

In these video games, even if the concept of ikigai is not directly referenced or mentioned, one can discern the spirit of this philosophy regarding the search for meaning, balance, and satisfaction in the various facets of a character's life.

In conclusion...

The modern world, though teeming with technology and constantly evolving, still harbors an eternal longing to find deeper meaning in life. Ikigai, serving as a cultural compass, guides us through the intricacies of daily life, helping uncover joy in simple moments. This Japanese concept, though rooted in a distant culture, speaks to us all, regardless of background or experiences. Wise Japanese old man

Finding one's ikigai might not be so much an end goal but rather a journey during which we learn to appreciate the small moments and passions that shape our everyday. In the digital age, when many things are fleeting and transient, ikigai reminds us of permanence, authenticity, and the deep roots that connect us with our true "self." Instead of looking outward, let's contemplate what truly drives us and let that inner spark guide our life's path.

"Do not seek yourself outside, for the true essence and answers lie within you."

– Laozi

Ikigai as Life's Navigation
Where to Seek the Japanese Secret of Happiness?