Many sociologists, scientists, and journalists have researched and hypothesized the usefulness and truth behind this particular phenomenon, and they’ve come to a number of very interesting conclusions. The best way to really encapsulate the overarching ideology of ikigai is by looking at the ikigai Venn diagram which displays the overlapping four main qualities: what you are good at, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and of course, what you love.īoiling it down to its most basic theory, it’s within the crossover of these points where ikigai stands. Gai is the key to finding your purpose, or value in life. Ikigai is what gets you up every morning and keeps you going. It can also be seen in similar Japanese words like hatarakigai, (働きがい) which means the value of work, or yarigai ~ga aru (やり甲斐がある), meaning “it’s worth doing it.” Clinical psychologist and avid expert of the ikigai evolution, Akihiro Hasegawa released a research paper in 2001 where he wrote that the word “gai” comes from the word “kai” which translates to “shell” in Japanese.ĭuring the Heian period, shells were extremely valuable, so the association of value is still inherently seen in this word. The origin of the word ikigai goes back to the Heian period (794 to 1185). In other words, your ikigai is what gets you up every morning and keeps you going. A combination of the Japanese words “iki” (生き), which translates to “life,” and “gai” (甲斐), which is used to describe value or worth, ikigai is all about finding joy in life through purpose. Though the “new year, new me” mantra is inspiring, the truth is if all that’s really inspiring us to do better is a different number on the calendar, maybe there’s a better way to fully embrace everything life has in store for us.Įnter ikigai, the age-old Japanese ideology that’s long been associated with the nation’s long life expectancy. As we continue into mid-January trying to keep up with those well-intentioned but lofty New Year’s resolutions, there’s no better time than now to refocus our energies, and really plan out our hopes and goals for the future.

Older japanese model