Ikigai- A Review

 

I knew that this was a big thing in the book world. Many have suggested it and I have heard it being talked about, so I decided to give it a try. 

It is beautiful.

This is pure nonfiction. There are a few anecdotes by the researchers on their experiences when they were conducting their research in Ogimi, the Village of Longevity. Other than that, this is a research paper as much as it is a book. But I loved it. The advice is genuinely simple, and the 'secret' of the Japanese commitment to whatever they do is laid bare perfectly, in a lucid way. I was surprised to find out that prioritizing the rituals and the process more than the end result is one of the key things the Japanese do in any field, from sushi-making to engineering. The concept of 'ikigai'- something you are born to do, so to speak, is explained gracefully by the authors, and we can observe in all the interviews and words by the centenarians given in the book that their ikigais have played a very important role in extending their lifespans. This is a must-read for whoever is curious about the vitality usually associated with the Japanese and the reason for their extraordinary lifespans.

P.S. I want to personally thank the authors Héctor García and Francesc Miralles for this masterpiece of a self-help book. I have never felt more cozy and at home while reading a book, except for 'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott.