A Year of Ikigai: Finding Everyday Purpose Through Japanese Wisdom

Find purpose and meaning in your day-to-day life with A Year of Ikigai, a collection of short and simple daily reads, over 365 days, for easy understanding and integration of this Japanese philosophy.

Ikigai is not a Venn diagram with a sweet spot in the middle. It's not your bliss, nor is it your one life purpose. It's not a word or concept from Okinawa. It’s not related to longevity. And it doesn’t mean that you never retire. So, what is ikigai? Iki comes from the verb ikiru, which means “to live.” But it is not referring to your life as a whole, as in a lifetime, but rather your “everyday life.” The concept of ikigai aligns and relates to finding meaning in your day-to-day living.

In A Year of Ikigai, ikigai expert Nicholas Kemp introduces the Japanese concept of ikigai through 365 days of practical tips, reflections, and real-life examples to help you apply the principles of ikigai in tangible ways to your life, so you can answer the most important question:What gets you up in the morning?