IkigaiTribe

Shokunin - the Japanese craftsman

Shokunin – The Practice of Ichigyo-Zanmai

My Japanese father-in-law is a shokunin, a craftsman. This one-word translation doesn’t capture the essence of shokunin and the significance they have in Japanese culture. Shokunin make one-of-a-kind products that are highly appreciated for their simple yet sophisticated aesthetics; as a result, these masters are held in high regard and represent the closest that one …

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Naikan - Japanese introspection

Naikan – the Japanese Art of Self-reflection

‘The words we live with today become part of our lives tomorrow.’The above quote are the words of Yoshimoto Ishin (1916-1988) – a Japanese businessman, Buddhist monk, and the founder of Naikan therapy.Naikan is a structured self-reflection technique. Nai means ‘inside’ and kan means ‘looking’; therefore, Naikan translates to ‘inside looking’ or ‘introspection’. The technique …

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Arugamama - as it is.

Arugamama – as it is.

How does one begin to self-actualise?Self-actualization starts with acceptance: acceptance of yourself, of others, and of the world you live in. This is articulated by the Japanese word arugamama, which literally translates to ‘as it is’. Arugamama means the acceptance of the true nature of things.This is the foundation of Morita therapy, a psychotherapy developed …

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