Awakening Your Ikigai

How the Japanese Wake Up to Joy and Purpose Every Day

By: Ken Mogi

Narrated by: Matt Addis

Length: 3 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Ikigai is a Japanese phenomenon commonly understood as "your reason to get up in the morning". Ikigai can be small moments: the morning air, a cup of coffee, a compliment. It can also be deep convictions: a fulfilling job, lasting friendships, balanced health. Whether big or small, your ikigai is the path to success and happiness in your own life.

Author Ken Mogi introduces five pillars of ikigai to help you make the most of each day and become your most authentic self:

• One: starting small - focus on the details
• Two: releasing yourself - accept who you are
• Three: harmony and sustainability - rely on others
• Four: the joy of little things - appreciate sensory pleasure
• Five: being in the here and now - find your flow

Weaving together insights from Japanese history, philosophy, and modern culture, plus stories from renowned sushi chef Jiro Ono, anime filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, and others, Mogi skillfully shows the way to awaken your ikigai.

©2018 Ken Mogi (P)2018 Tantor

Not what you expect

This is a history of Japan not how to invoke Ikigai. Authors love affair with all things Japan overshadows the purpose here. Disappointing in that it unrealistically exalts the culture that is human after all. Ikigai is a path within this culture. Would have loved to learn more about it here

SOMETHING I'VE HAD ALL ALONG AND NEVER REALISED.

This is a great book. It has helped me to organize some of my own thoughts and focus more on what and who I am. The authors goes on a few lengthy stories that often could be summarized or shortened, but overall a must read if you're still trying to find yourself.

Explained the basics.

This book explaines the basics of Ikigai. It does tome illumination of the principles thru story. What i found anmoying was the constant referral to Japanese culture. It seemed more like culture worship than a real explanation of Ikigai.

Good but not enough Ikigai

I enjoyed this book. The narration was excellent. The book was interesting. However, I bought it to learn more about Ikigai. It does cover that, but I think it gets a bit lost in the details of Japanese society. I felt I learned more about Japan than Ikigai by the end.

Not What I Expected

I was hoping this book would help me find my Ikigai. Instead I learned a lot about Japanese culture. Interesting but very little about Ikigai.

Whole lot of nothing

I understand context is important but this is more of a cultural / historical book with mediocre advice.

A lot of good, varied information

The narrator is fine, though a number of mispronunciations were prevalent. I’ve read other books that were much more focused on “doing” ikigai, more self-help, and was pleasantly surprised at home much time this one spends on the cultural and historical connections. Very enjoyable, and, I think well-balanced.

A true gem! A must read!!!

This book is wonderful, because it makes you reflect on the things that matter to the reader. It inspires you to be happy, and where to find it in a life that is competitive, stressful, and unpredictable. This book points you in the right direction and is full of interesting narratives that help with that.

Content does not match title

As others have stated, this book is about Japanese culture, history, and longevity, not about finding your Ikigai. An hour and a half into it and neither the concept nor pillars have been defined.

More about Japanese culture than ikigai

The book is more a bunch of anecdotes about Japanese culture and history than it is about what ikigai is and how to integrate it into your own life. I’ve been listening for an hour and while he’s mentioned “the pillars of ikigai” he hasn’t actually listed what specifically those pillars are, which would be useful. He’s droned on about “starry bowls” for 20 minutes with only a superficial gloss on how they relate to the concept of ikigai. There’s nothing practical or actionable so far, and he’s just all over the place with no real methodology or logical flow. I will not be finishing this book. Life’s too short.