IKIGAI, Zen and the Sword
The word “Ikigai” shakes the core of our being and illuminates our role on this stage of life. I speak passionately of this flower of life. I say, “Living itself is “Ikigai”.
But to live, deep love, understanding, and self-exploration are essential. In this world, Ikigai is not just a word; it is the quality of life, the essence of life, and the core of our being.
Ikigai is the passion that burns within the individual and the movement of the heart to seek harmony with the outside world, which guides our actions and decisions in every aspect of life.
This uniquely Japanese concept allows us to face ourselves and find infinite possibilities and a deep sense of satisfaction in the process of exploring the meaning and purpose of life.
Ikigai is a way of expressing ourselves in each moment of our lives, and it is a process by which we find and nurture ourselves through daily challenges and joys.
And what we find in this beautiful quest for Ikigai is more than just happiness, it is a journey of life’s richness, depth, and ultimately, self-realization. It makes every day meaningful and allows us to truly live. It is the spark of our life, the cry of our soul, without which life would be nothing but emptiness.
Etymology of the word “Ikigai”
If we go back in time to the ancient times of Ikigai, we find its footprints in the 14th century military chronicle Taiheiki. At the beginning of the first volume, the words “To Tsuganai Ikigai naki Life” shine through. Here, “Ikigai” does not end with the mere act of living, but leads the reader to a profound contemplation of the meaning of life, the value of life, and the reason for life.
As time went by, the word “Ikigahi” was coined by Chikamatsu Monzaemon at the end of the 17th century. In the lower part of “Genji Reisenbushi” (Genji Reisenbushi), a sincere question is posed, “What ikigahi should I have after letting the otsutto take away my shame?
However, if one traces the origin of the word “ikigai,” one comes across the word “ikikahi. In “The Structure of ‘Iki’”, philosopher Shuzo Kuki explored the multilayered meaning of the word, stating that “iki” consists of “sei”, “breath”, “go”, and “iiki”. Furthermore, the philosopher Akira Hisano points out that “Ikigai” is a post-medieval applied word, and “ikikahi” comes from “kahi,” meaning exchange, such as “buy,” “exchange,” “cross,” and “exchange. Here, the process of intermingling different things and creating new value is implied.
Counselor Ichiro Tsuruta also explains that ikigai (ikikikahi) has value, weight, and meaning equivalent to “being oneself alive. In other words, he expresses the philosophical view that self-existence itself has value to be “communed” or “exchanged” with something.
Thus, “ikigai” is more than just a word. It is a history of inquiry, in which we have been questioning the nature and meaning of our lives since ancient times, and finding the self through the act of exchanging values.
This is the definition of “Ikigai” so far.
Now, what exactly is this fluffy “Ikigai”? Japanese people speak of “Ikigai” very easily, but how many of you have thought about the definition of “Ikigai”? In this issue, we will clarify each definition of “Ikigai” based on our research on “Ikigai.
Ikigai is a concept deeply connected to Japanese culture, and many researchers and authors have offered their own views and definitions on the subject. Below are the definitions of “Ikigai” by the four designated researchers and authors.
- Dr. Mieko Kamiya, Tsuda College:.
According to Dr. Kamiya, Ikigai is associated with an individual’s mental health. Dr. Kamiya also defines Ikigai as finding value and meaning in one’s life, which contributes to an individual’s sense of satisfaction and happiness.
2. Professor Akihiro Hasegawa, Toyo Eiwa Jyogakuin:.
Professor Hasegawa points out that the concept of Ikigai is unique to Japan and that many factors are involved. His research examines how Ikigai is related to the well-being of the elderly.
3. Héctor García and Francesc Milagés, authors of the international bestseller “IKIGAI:”
According to the two authors, Ikigai exists where four elements overlap: what you like to do, what you are good at, what society needs from you, and what you do for a living as a job.
4. Ken Mogi: “Ikigai” is the meaning of life.
Mogi defines “Ikigai” as discovering, defining, and enjoying the joys of life that have meaning to you. He also emphasizes “joie de vivre” and “meaning of life” and states that it is important to find “small joys.
Western and Eastern Differences in Interpretation of Ikigai
The differences between Western and Japanese interpretations of Ikigai are deeply rooted in cultural backgrounds and personal values. In Western interpretations, Ikigai is often positioned at the intersection of four key elements.
These elements are defined as what the individual likes to do, what the world needs, what the individual is good at, and what provides financial rewards.
In contrast, the Japanese interpretation of Ikigai is considered to be a broader, multifaceted concept that is understood by individuals through their lives and not learned from a specific framework.
The Japanese find Ikigai in the small rituals and customs of daily life, which allow them to live each day in a positive way.
The difference between aspiration and ambition is also a very important factor. These two words indicate how individuals and societies approach work and life.
Aspiration is based on internal excitement, while ambition is based on external ambition. Aspiration follows the joy that comes from within and people feel its sustainability, while ambition depends on external recognition and monetary rewards.
As a specific example, 95-year-old Yoshimitsu Yabuta works for McDonald’s in Japan, cleaning four days a week from 11 am to 5 am. For Mr. Yabuta, this job is his “Ikigai” (meaning “something to live for”) and “interesting. I love this kind of work.
This example shows that “Ikigai” depends on what individuals value and find joy in, and that social recognition and monetary rewards are not the only things that shape “Ikigai.
In this case, Yoshimitsu Yabuta’s “Ikigai” is clearly distinct from status and rewards, and is not the same as those concepts. It is different from the Western definition of what makes money.
Ikigai, Zen, and the Sword
The journey to explore the essence of Ikigai is located at the intersection of an individual’s inner and outer worlds. It is not confined to a fixed framework, but rather extends into an expansive, multidimensional space. This cosmic space is meaningful only when we step into it, and within it, our purpose in life is formed by connecting countless points of coordinates, like a positioning map.
Positioning Map of Ikigai
This positioning map has a left-right axis from “Contribution to others” to “Craftmanlike Ikigai,” and an up-down axis from “Social Ikigai” to “Become One with Nature Ikigai”. These four axes represent the infinite possibilities for us to feel and express our Ikigai. Each point will be located on this map based on personal values and experiences.
When we look at Japanese traditions and sentiments, we see a strong tendency to find craftsmanlike “Ikigai” compared to Western cultures. In this regard, the Japanese spirit of craftsmanship has at its heart the spirit of Ikigai. The Japanese find beauty and satisfaction in the process of making things themselves, and their spirit of attention to detail allows them to keep striving for that value within, even in situations where no one else appreciates it.
The example of the Japanese swordsmith can be cited as a manifestation of this craftmanship “Ikigai” spirit. Swordsmiths strike out swords like works of art through a dialogue between iron and fire. The sword produced by their hands is not just a weapon, but a work of art with beauty and spirituality. In this process, the swordsmith pours his skills heart, and soul into his work, and he feels “Ikigai” in the outcome. The beauty of each curve and blade of the sword, as well as the history and tradition of the sword, gives the swordsmith a sense of purpose in life, and he continues to improve his skills and pursue his spirituality.
This artisanal “Ikigai” is also deeply connected to the spirit of Zen in Japan. The spirit of Zen has the power to connect with the world by finding meaning and beauty in each action, and through this, to look at oneself. For example, the act of sweeping every corner of an unattended garden or dusting every inch of the floor of a Japanese-style house is a wonderful example of the Japanese expression of “Ikigai”, in which the harmony of stillness and movement and inexhaustible effort are expressed.
These “Ikigai” are completely unrelated to values such as being socially needed or financially compensated.
Thus, Ikigai is not something that is captured in a fixed framework but is something that naturally grows and is nurtured in the interaction between the inner and outer worlds of the individual. This joie de vivre is expressed in rich colors through the intermingling of diverse elements such as a craftsman’s spirit, social contribution, and a sense of oneness with nature. It emerges as a polyhedron with infinite forms, depending on how individuals position and relate to their own existence and the world.
The IKIGAI in the AI Era
In the age of AI, the pursuit of “Ikigai” has entered a new phase. The use of generative AI can maximally accelerate “Ikigai” and increase individual productivity.
Specifically, the use of generative AI can dramatically increase productivity by improving work efficiency by a factor of 3–5. This allows individuals to direct more time and energy to the pursuit of their “Ikigai” (meaning “fulfillment”), thereby improving their quality of life. In addition, advances in AI are providing new technologies and services that are impacting how individuals and society pursue and realize Ikigai.
Taken together, these factors form the Golden Circle of Ikigai, at the center of which lies the intersection of an individual’s inner joy and outer appreciation. This will make it easier for individuals to discover and realize their own “Ikigai. This, in turn, will enable individuals and society to lead richer and more satisfying lives.
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