Finding your Ikigai
Finding your Ikigai
Ikigai has been described as a path to finding one's purpose. But what is it, exactly? Here's what I learned from the people who practice it every day.
Ikigai (pronounced: eek-ee-guy) has become a popular topic over the past decade. There have been several TEDx talks on it (for example: How to Ikigai) and a best-selling book I mentioned in my last post: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Healthy Life.
Something about our Western obsession with work performance and 'work-life' balance has crept into the discourse on Ikigai that never quite sat right with me. Should your job/work/profession be a critical part of your sense of purpose—that source of joy and meaning in your life—or is Ikigai about something more?
I may be described as a workaholic by some. I work almost constantly, juggling writing, speaking, teaching, science outreach, and research nearly daily. But it only sometimes feels like work. Staying busy with these things brings me joy. Even when relaxing and watching TV, I often find my hands busy cross-stitching fabrics or playing puzzle games on my phone. Is that what Ikigai is about? Staying happily busy?
I've read books, watched the talks, and listened to podcasts on this subject, but I still had many questions I was eager to address. Luckily, through my work, I had the opportunity to visit a community where Ikigai is a regular part of life: the 'longevity village' of Ogimi (pronounced Oh-gee-me) in Okinawa.
While there, I spoke with several people about Ikigai and what it meant to them. Here is what I learned from three of them.
Yuki, age: late 90's
Yuki is a respected elder in the village. When we were first introduced, she was eager to share the pages where she and her recipes appeared in Dan Buettner's book, The Blue Zones Kitchen. Yuki is short in stature and with a twinkle in her eyes that peeks out above the face mask she wears to protect her health when new visitors come by. She was pretty independent, walking around her home barefoot on the soft tatami mats, using only a walking cane.
After greeting us, she invited us to sit on the tatami mat floor at a low table, where we shared glasses of shikuwasa vinegar in water (a vinegar-based Citrus depressa lime juice that was surprisingly refreshing) and some traditional cookies. With the help of my interpreters (I can only speak basic pleasantries in Japanese), we dove into an array of topics around food, health, and life both today and in her youth.
While we spoke, I immediately picked up on a few things. First, Yuki's hands were never still the entire time we met. In her lap, she folded and twisted bits of magazines pages into various works of origami—at first, there was a spinning top (a child's toy) she constructed, then came the little birds (see above picture of an origami bird in my hand) and a whole container of little origami boxes she uses to collect small bits of trash on the table into.
When I asked her about some baskets I noticed in the corner, she happily brought them over, explaining how she'd woven them herself. I've recently taken up basketweaving as a hobby (though I still need to improve), and I just loved seeing the joy in her expression as she showed us one creation after another.
As we enjoyed the cookies, she casually mentioned that these were the leftovers from the 1,000 cookies she'd baked for the school festival. When I asked about the other things she did for fun, she spoke fondly of her moai (pronounced: moh-ay, a friend group/supportive club). They meet up once per month for fun activities. The members of the previous moai of her childhood had all passed away, but she found a new group. “Everyone has a moai so that no one is alone,” she explained.
Her actions spoke volumes throughout our encounter. She stays busy. She creates things with her hands that bring her pleasure, and she experiences great joy in sharing those creations with others. She gives back to her community and especially to the youth. She is dedicated to her friend group and finds support and entertainment with them.
When I asked her what Ikigai meant, she responded, "Keeping my hands busy."
Teppei, age: early 30's
I met Teppei during an outing to experience a traditional Sabani boat. Tall and with an easy grin, Teppei described his boats with a combination of pride for his work and a deep respect for the craft. The sabani boats are entirely handmade, constructed of cypress wood and bamboo, using no nails! The whole boat is held together through ingenious interlocking wood pieces.
He took me and my guide, Tom, out for a sail around Shioya Bay. Boating and fishing are allowed here, but no swimming. Like many of the forests and bodies of water on the northern side of Okinawa island, this bay is considered sacred and has to be respected by following specific rules.
I was curious about the degree to which Ikigai plays a role in the lives of younger people in this community, and I asked him about his story. How did he become a boat builder? His answer surprised me. He wasn't raised in a family of sailors or boatbuilders. He was pursuing a job in the tourism industry when he first interacted with a sabani builder. After sailing on one, he just knew he needed to do this. “These traditions are quickly disappearing”, he explained. “Before we had bridges connecting the small islands, the bay had sabani boats that would ferry people and their cargo from one side to another, saving them hours of walking around the full bay to reach their destination. When the bridges went in, the boats were no longer useful.” He sees his role as a sabani builder as important to the culture of his village. He's passionate about sharing his love for these boats with his community and visitors.
When I asked him if this is what Ikigai is about—he responded that he finds joy in serving his culture this way. He wants to save these traditions before they disappear.
Kazuo, age: late 60's
Kazuo is a man that reminds me very much of my father. His are the hands of a working man used to working with the land. He has a barn where he welds metal scrap metal together and uses tractors and heavy equipment in his agricultural work. Remarkably, he built his home with his own hands and the help of friends. It is a rustic country house that is constantly filled with visitors, fresh food, and laughter. He and his wife regularly host high school students for farm experiences and travelers eager to learn about life in the countryside. I count myself lucky to have been among the guests at their home. At the farm, Kazuo taught me how to plant ginger in his fields. We also chatted about the challenges of farming here; wild boar from the forest frequently dig up and ravage his sweet potato and pineapple crops. They don't like ginger or turmeric, he said, and that is why he now plants those crops for sale.
When I first arrived at the farm, I could hear the squeals of swine running around in the back pasture. I climbed a small hill to look closer and found at least 20 wild boars! He's become talented at trapping the pineapple thieves, and pork is a special treat in their community.
At dinner one night, after savoring a meal of sashimi (fresh raw fish) caught that afternoon by his brother, we got into the topic of Ikigai. I began by explaining my understanding of how Americans describe Ikigai and its importance in finding work-life balance and happiness in the work you get paid for. As he sipped his mug of Asahi beer, he shook his head no, and using a translator app on his phone, he explained, "No, it is not about work. It is about more, so much more."
The morning I was preparing for the airport, he met me at breakfast, not in his rough farm clothes but a collared shirt and slacks. He had this ridiculously happy glow about him. He explained he was off to pick up the next group of teens to learn about farm work. When he returned later that morning with eight acne-prone 15-year-olds, I could see it then. This was his Ikigai. Yes, he loved farming. Yes, he loved hosting visitors. But what brought him the greatest joy was in introducing city kids to the joys of agriculture and the countryside. This was his "so much more."
The Takeaway
Like my new friends in Ogimi, I find joy in my tasks and keeping my hands busy. And it's not just about the money I earn in my work (though money always helps in any profession). What I found that's missing for me is a sense of community and service to my community. I've been thinking about that a lot since I left Okinawa—about my entry point to fully implementing Ikigai. I'd love to have a community where friends are always popping by with their catch of the day, crafts they've made, or vegetables they've grown, and then joining us for a meal. I'd love to do the same for them. Maybe it needs to start with me sharing more of my garden harvest this summer. Local friends, you are forewarned! I will be popping by soon with lots of tomatoes and herbs!
I learned that happiness and fulfillment come when we're active, frequently moving (not in extreme ways, but gentle ways through gardening and handcrafts), connecting with friends, and serving others.
Maybe I should bake a thousand cookies for the local school children. No that one is a bad idea—I'm not that great in the kitchen!
I know it's five months past the time for new year's resolutions, but I will try to do better in these things. It will improve my health and perhaps help others do the same.
Will you join me? Share how you seek your Ikigai in the comments below.
Yours in health, Dr. Quave
Cassandra L. Quave, Ph.D. is a scientist, author, speaker, podcast host, wife, mother, explorer, and professor at Emory University School of Medicine. She teaches college courses and leads a group of research scientists studying medicinal plants to find new life-saving drugs from nature. She hosts the Foodie Pharmacology podcast and writes the Nature’s Pharmacy newsletter to share the science behind natural medicines. To support her effort, consider a paid or founding subscription, with founding members receiving an autographed 1st edition hardcover copy of her book, The Plant Hunter.
I, too, do puzzles while I unwind at night watching TV. I started 2 ukulele groups and organized a pollinator garden in the backyard of the retirement community where I live. I take pictures of the bees/wasps/butterflies/moths/flies that visit the flowers and give talks about how to build their own gardens. I spent hours outside every day. I'm 82.