Ikigai

Discover the art of mindfulness through words, phrases, haikus and photographs that reflect the stillness and meditative nature of Japanese culture. 

Living in today’s frenetic world, I often feel disconnected – from reality, from people and from nature. I believe that is why it is crucial to keep the words in this book close to your heart. We sometimes need to stop what we are doing and bring our attention towards the present moment, to be happy with who we are, to find beauty, to discover peace.  

Japanese culture sensitively interweaves language and philosophy. Across more than 40 words and phrases, from the wistful poetry of mono-no aware, a phrase that asks us to recognise the bittersweet transience of all things, to the quiet harmony of wa, this book hopes to inspire you to adopt a more mindful attitude to life, seeking meaning beyond materialism and finding your own motivation, your ikigai.

About the Author

Mari Fujimoto is the Director of Japanese Studies at Queens College, City University of New York where she teaches and lectures in all aspects of Japanese language, linguistics and popular culture. She believes that learning a language is the first step towards understanding the values and beliefs of a culture. Born in Tokyo, she studied at Queens College for her bachelor’s degree and at the Graduate Centre of the City University of New York for her PhD in Linguistics. She now lives in New York with her husband, fun-loving twins and two dogs.