World Cultures: ‘Ikigai’ – the Japanese ideology of discovering happiness & your reason for living |05 June 2021
Image source: Medium
‘Ikigai’ is a Japanese term and concept which is said to be the Japanese secret to a life of happiness and longevity. This age-old ideology is said to be about finding happiness in our lives through purpose.
In Okinawa, an island in southern Japan which is home to some of the longest-living humans, Ikigai is known as ‘a reason to get up in the morning’.
The origin of the word Ikigai is said to go back to the Heian period (794 to 1185); ‘Gai’ comes from the word ‘Kai’ (shell in Japanese) which were deemed highly valuable, and it is from there that Ikigai was derived as a word which means value in living.
To learn more about the concept of Ikigai, Seychelles NATION contacted Atsushi Suzuki, a Japanese national living in Seychelles, and owner of Japanese Acupuncture Clinic ‘Atsushi Medical Boardwalk’.
In his interview below, he shares with us his knowledge about Ikigai, the importance and his advice to anyone who wants to discover their Ikigai.
Seychelles NATION: What is your understanding of the concept of Ikigai? Does Ikigai change throughout our lives? Can you tell us what your Ikigai is?
Atsushi Suzuki: Ikigai is a Japanese word meaning ‘the value of living’, or ‘the joy and satisfaction of living’. Ikigai is different for each person, and changes with age and phases of life.
Motivation in life is defined as "motivation to live”. In other words, it is something that gives value and meaning to life to people. The most common usage of the word Ikigai is "to feel worth living for”, - a term that expresses subjective feelings.
One of my Ikigai is to make someone smile and feel happier. I feel that my life is meaningful and worth living when I can bring joy, smiles and happiness to others through myself.
Seychelles NATION: What are the benefits of embracing the concept of Ikigai?
Atsushi Suzuki: Ikigai is not a therapy, and it is different from meditation. It may be easier to understand it as a purpose of life, a goal, or something that you enjoy doing.
In Japan, it is said that people who have Ikigai in life live longer. I think this is because they have many things to enjoy, and they want to stay healthy and live longer.
Seychelles NATION: For those in Seychelles who might be interested in finding their Ikigai, what is your advice to them?
Atsushi Suzuki: One idea is to create a wish list (a list of wishes, things you want to do, and other things you enjoy), which will help you find out what your goals and purposes are in life, and what you value in your life. The “Wish List” is just one idea, but I believe that consciously creating things to look forward to while using such means will lead to a long life, and will change your life into a positive and colourful one.
References: japanology.org; bbc.com
Compiled by F.P.
