Ikigai and Artistic Expression in Japan

So many people have fallen into the arms of MAGA in North America and around the world. This hasn’t happened in Japan. Could the Japanese cultural practice of Ikigai be partially responsible? How is Ikigai linked to artistic expression on this island nation?

     The practice of Ikigai originated during the Heian period (794-1185) in Japan. It was a rare time of political quiet in Japan. The influence of China was diminishing so Emperor Kanmu moved the capital North to Kyoto. It was there that the Japanese court flourished in peaceful conditions and their society experienced a renaissance of art, poetry and literature. They also developed a new way of living by mixing the ideals of Shintoism and Buddhism together which they called Ikigai.

     Ikigai was heavily influenced by Chinese Zen Buddhism. Although Ikigai is not a religion but more of a cultural practice, it follows the principals of Buddhist mindfulness, self-awareness and appreciation for the present moment.  Buddhism asks us to follow the middle path, give up the complicated extras so we will want for nothing as we seek spiritual enlightenment. Ikigai translates to ”a reason for being” or “a reason to wake up in the morning.” Ikigai focuses on small daily joys and a sense of purpose to help one endure or enjoy the present.

     There were many art forms that rose from Heian period that followed the aesthetic of Ikigai. Japanese theater such as Kabuki involved and still involves inherited family roles where the actors dedicate their entire lives to acting as a reason for being. Onnagata is a type of theater where male actors play female roles and practice the role off stage to perfect the characters femininity. There is also Yamato-e, painting that focuses on harmony to nature and court life and the use of calligraphy in kana script.    

     The Japanese art form that most directly follows and embodies the philosophy of Ikigai is Kintsugi or "golden joinery". Kintsugi involves repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. It aligns with ikigai and wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection) by turning broken, discarded objects into unique, more beautiful pieces of art.

     There are four pillars of the Ikigai aesthetic: aligning passion for life’s purpose, to balance what is loved with what one is good at, balancing what one loves to what the world or community needs and finally what will be financially sustainable. If an artist has balance they will attain purpose, fulfilment, master their craft and create mental wellbeing.

     A modern artist who practises Ikigai in her work is Junko Mori. Mori is a metal work artist who creates sculptures reminiscent of forms found in nature. Mori uses traditional blacksmithing techniques like forging and hammering and repetition of individual components to create a larger form. She doesn’t plan or sketch out her ideas before starting a piece as she prefers process over design and loves the unconscious and uncontrolled growth of her forms.

     At the beginning of her career, Mori felt her Ikigai was related to the simple feeling of accomplishment after completing a certain amount of repetitive work. As time went on her Ikigai expanded because she was able to sell her work, which gave her joy and provided for her family. It also gave joy to her patrons which made her business grow. Finally Mori was able to employ helpers at her studio which in turn helped her employees and her whole community.

     Not everyone in Japan practices or believes in Ikigai. However, Ikigai is an embedded cultural and psychological resilience that can be leaned into in times of uncertainty and turmoil. In North America, MAGA has been a disharmonious, disingenuous political movement. In Japan, MAGA could not get a grip because Ikigai has created a cultural preference for harmony while art serves as its messenger and societal protector.