The Little Book Of Ikigai by Ken Mogi
An enchanting book about the Japanese way of living a full and happy life.
When I was sculpting this review, I found myself remembering one of the key lessons from this beautiful little book: Kodawari. It is a loaded little word encompassing within its meaning the relentless pursuit of perfection by focusing on the minute details with passion and commitment.
For a lot of people, this idea might seem out of place in a book that purports to teach the reader how to ‘live a happy and long life the Japanese way’, but as the author explains it actually embodies the first pillar of ikigai: starting small.
The meaning of life
What is ikigai? Again, the word is so loaded as to elude a simple English translation. Directly, it translates as ‘the reason for living’ or something like that, but in reality it means so much more. Mogi says it is Japanese for ‘the pleasures and meanings of life’ and that it can apply to ‘small everyday things as well as big goals and achievements.’
To illustrate what he means by this, Ken Mogi takes us on a tour of Japanese culture from the precision art of Sushi making to the brutal, yet fascinating world of Sumo. He describes how the third pillar, harmony and sustainability, is exemplified by the rebuilding of the Ise Shrine. To achieve this, hinoki trees are planted 200 years in advance so as to be of sufficient size. The shrine is rebuilt every 20 years, so as to continue an unbroken tradition spanning 1200 years, passing down traditional techniques and jobs in perpetuity.
This may seem at odds with the fifth pillar, being in the here and now. Here Mogi introduces us to the sensory experience of the tea ceremony. With consummate skill, he introduces us to the purpose of the tea house, the ceremony itself and the concept of Ichigo Ichi, meaning one time, one encounter;
‘an appreciation of the ephemeral character of any encounters with people, things or events in life.’
It is also in the tea room where it’s possible to experience the second pillar, releasing yourself. In that environment, as well as in a Sumo stable labouring under a sekitori, perhaps even when you are flowing in the practised art of creating a perfect piece of Sushi, or maybe learning the precise methods of creating a Shinto shrine, you can let go of your egocentric thoughts and narratives and take joy in the small things, fulfilling the fourth pillar on the way.
Not just a self-help book
This book is an education on Japanese culture and ways of life, but also a manual on how to be a happy and resilient human being. Mogi is humble and meticulous throughout, creating a joyful yet structured look at how the Japanese people make sense of this crazy life. Alongside Hygge and Lagom, Ikigai is a wonderful blueprint for contentment.
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