Ikigai

The Oxford English Dictionary defines () as "a motivating force; something or someone that gives a person a sense of purpose or a reason for living". More generally, it may refer to something that brings pleasure or fulfillment. The term compounds two Japanese words: and , which, when combined and sequentially voiced as gai, result in the meaning 'a reason for living [being alive]; a meaning for [to] life; what [something that] makes life worth living; a 'raison d'être'. In their book, Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, Héctor García and Francesc Miralles explain, "This Japanese concept, which translates roughly as 'the happiness of always being busy,' is like logotherapy, but it goes a step beyond." In 2022, the Japanese government posted an article on their official website stating, "A broad concept, it [ikigai] refers to that which brings value and joy to life: from people, such as one's children or friends, to activities including work and hobbies." == Diagram ==

In their book, Héctor García and Francesc Miralles include a Venn diagram created by Marc Winn, which in turn was likely inspired by the "purpose" diagram created in 2011 by Andrés Zuzunaga, replacing "purpose" with "ikigai." This diagram includes four elements: what a person likes, what a person is good at, what the world needs, and what can be rewarded. When these four elements overlap, that person has found their ikigai. The diagram does not originate in Japan, and has been described as an "unrealistic ideal" that is "catchy but misleading". == Early popularization ==

Ikigai was first popularized by the Japanese psychiatrist and academic Mieko Kamiya in her 1966 book, . == Importance ==

In the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, was thought to have two primary forms of manifestation: either in terms of the betterment of society ("subordinating one's own desires to others") or the improvement of oneself ("following one's own path"). According to anthropologist Chikako Ozawa-de Silva, for an older generation in Japan, their was to "fit this standard mold of company and family", whereas the younger generation reported their to be about "dreams of what they might become in the future". == Relation to health ==

Studies have shown no evidence of any correlation with development of malignant tumors and that people who do not experience are more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. National Geographic reporter Dan Buettner suggested that may be one of the reasons for the longevity of the people of Okinawa. According to Buettner, Okinawans have less desire to retire and they continue doing their favorite job as long as they remain healthy. , a close-knit group of friends, is also considered an important factor behind Okinawans' longevity. An Ikigai scale has been constructed to measure the effects on mental and physical health effects on those people who practice it. == See also ==