Ikigai: The Japanese Art of Living
By Daniel N.
Amid the ceaseless marathon of modern life, where days seem to blur into one another, there exists a universal desire — a yearning for depth, purpose, and fulfillment that can seamlessly transform acts of mundanity into the building blocks of a meaningful existence. It’s a search akin to the allure of nostalgic moments, where the past’s cherished moments become guiding stars in the dark expanse of our present journey.
Imagine a bustling metropolis, its soaring skyscrapers stretching indefinitely toward the sky, streets brimming with hurried pedestrians in a relentless march of time. The cacophony of car horns and phone chatter echoes throughout each corner. Within this urban city lies an asylum, an unassuming coffee shop where folks gather to obtain their life-saving, sanity-restoring morning beverage. It’s the caffeine commune, the brewing heaven, where people find temporary solace, delight, and maybe just a touch of addiction in a cup of joy. Behind the counter gently stands Hachiko, a master of his craft who meticulously turns the humble coffee beans into liquid gold. He sniffs each bean, hand-picking only those saturated with a fragrant aroma, like a jeweler inspector handling delicate gems. Hachiko doesn’t simply just grind beans though; he brings out their unique flavors, turning each cup into a masterpiece. The water temperature is adjusted like a precise science, and the brewing time is an art. Over many years, Hachiko has honed an expertise with dedication and perseverance. Nevertheless, an indescribable blend of qualities that he possesses makes it seem like this was his calling. In return, the coffee shop not only sustains him financially, but purposefully as well.
In the act of brewing, Hachiko exemplified Ikigai, an ancient Japanese philosophy that unites the intersection between work and life. His creation was not simply presented in the tangible cup that warmed many hands, but also in the intangible fulfillment gained from seeing the smiles on his customers’ faces. Running a coffee shop for Hachiko wasn’t merely serving coffee, but serving a cupful of his passion. This, as ordinary as it seemed, was his extraordinary Ikigai, the confluence of what he loved (passion), what he was skilled in (vocation), what the world desired (mission), and what sustained him (profession).
The term Ikigai may seem foreign perhaps even esoteric. Yet at its essence, Ikigai encapsulates a truth as old as time itself. Nothing more but nothing less. The foundation of living and life itself are bundled together into one: like a well-brewed cup of coffee served simmering hot.
In contrast to the timeless philosophy of Ikigai, today’s era is generally influenced by Western culture. When ideals of success are often associated with tangible acquisitions — sprawling mansions, luxurious cars, or even superficial marks of digital approval such as ‘followers’ and ‘likes’ on social media, it is imperative we take a moment to pause and reflect on the complexities of our societal constructs. Whether all forms of victory resonate loudly, how axioms or principles underpin our understanding of success, if success is a better alternative than contentment — pursuing or searching for your Ikigai encourages us to recognize these subtleties, and consider that perhaps the most meaningful journeys aren’t always those that result in grand accolades, but those that lead us to inner fulfillment. It has become increasingly apparent that individuals of this generation are being fed spoonfuls of falsified standards, and in certain cases, we have become so tunnel-visioned that we chase after remnants of what was, mistaking the ephemeral for the essential.
Ikigai emerges as more than just a term; it’s a wake-up call that invites us to reconsider the depths of our ambition in the semi-permanent and value the little things in life that are of authentic rather than sheer material significance.
Four components of Ikigai
At the heart of Ikigai lies four overarching qualities: passion, mission, vocation, and profession. Each of these pieces, when discovered, completes a holistic puzzle of fulfillment. Though the concept seems abstract, you know it when you feel it. Are you absorbed in your work? Are there parts of your job that come easily to you? Are you solving a problem, whether it’d be social, economical, or environmental? Do you or will you eventually make a living doing your work? If you can confidently answer these questions, you have found your Ikigai.
Criticisms
No philosophy makes its way around the world without amassing critics. Most skeptics of Ikigai argue that its holistic nature is too challenging to actualize, especially in Western civilizations where capitalistic norms eclipse more spiritual pursuits. It is also said that Ikigai, with its roots deeply entrenched in the rural areas of Japan, is a defense mechanism against globalization. But Ikigai can be the purpose we search for, and as a necessary byproduct of the profession we find ourselves in, it serves to uphold us financially. Well-known individuals who are generally considered successful from a capitalistic standpoint, such as Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk have also discovered their Ikigai. In fact, discovering their Ikigai is what made them so successful in the first place.
Steve Jobs and Ikigai
While critics argue that Ikigai acts as a cultural defense against globalization, a renowned instance of Ikigai from across borders suggests otherwise. The iconic visionary and tech mogul Steve Jobs serves as a testament to the universality and applicability of such philosophy. If you only peruse the surface of his life, you’d discover his loudest accomplishments. However, if you dive beneath the iceberg, you will find the meditations of his way of life. For example, his notorious attributes of criticality and a keen eye for detail stemmed from a trip to a gallery in Kyoto. On this trip, Jobs was enchanted by the artistry of Shakunaga, a traditional craftsman, whose Ikigai was forming porcelain dinnerware. He was fascinated by the simplicity and quality of Shakunaga’s work. It wasn’t a shiftless simplicity, but a sophisticated one incorporating a proactive approach to improvements, and bringing nature and technology together, rather than buying into the idea of man vs nature.
Jobs, having traveled across Japan, learned a lot about their culture and religions, and resonated with the concept of Ikigai. This transformative experience stuck with him throughout his life, as demonstrated when he once remarked, “When I was 25, my net worth was $100 million or so. I decided then that I wasn’t going to let it ruin my life. … My favorite things in life don’t cost any money.” These words underline that true purpose and passion lie outside the confines of materialistic gains. This is not to say that money doesn’t play a role in a person's life, but that it shouldn’t be the factor that determines our self-worth and occupies most of our attention.
Ikigai may bear a Japanese moniker, but it is a philosophy adoptable by anyone, regardless of age, religion, or geological background. Whether it be founding a tech giant as Jobs or brewing steaming cups of coffee as Hachiko, finding one's Ikigai is equally meaningful. As the world continues to evolve at revolutionary speeds, Ikigai and its timeless wisdom serve as a reminder of what truly matters. It prompts a level of introspection that requires us to reevaluate our priorities and goals. That way we don’t fall into the everlasting cycle of seeking ephemeral pleasures and shallow validations. By doing so every now and then, we protect ourselves from the inevitable pitfalls of existential discontentment, and on the path toward a life of purpose, authenticity, and depth. Ikigai isn’t a word, it’s a way of life. What’s yours?
