Misogi looks like the next Japanese word headed for viral appropriation.
Definition of Misogi
In Japan, misogi is a Shinto purification ritual grounded in religious belief, rooted in the idea that kegare—ritual impurity accumulated through daily life, illness, misfortune, or contact with death—can be cleansed through contact with pure, life-giving water. It is a religious practice, and one that relatively few Japanese people actually undertake.
The Misogi Challenege
The misogi challenge is described as a yearly challenge in which you do something extremely difficult to define and transform your year. The challenge is intended to be grand, with a 50/50 chance of failure, and is framed as a way to uncover what we are capable of as individuals and to tap into possibilities we may not see in the moment.
The misogi challenge is a self-proclaimed life hack popularised by Jesse Itzler, an entrepreneur, author, and rapper, who claims that “the notion around misogi is that you do one big, year-defining thing every year.”
This kind of performative framing, publicly announcing goals, hardship, or identity through a concept, is not something Japanese culture tends to value or engage in. It is the opposite of the intention of this practice. Japanese people do not talk aspects of their lives up, outwardly celebrate their achievements, or announce grand plans with pride.
This is a concerning trend: Japanese words are being lifted out of their cultural and spiritual context, reframed as personal development tools, and then publicly broadcast or celebrated. Commercialising and generalising these concepts spreads misinformation and demonstrates a lack of respect for Japanese people and Japanese culture. We have seen this with ikigai, kintsugi, wabi-sabi, and other words.
It is often the case that those who redefine these cultural notions have not taken the time to understand them, have not sought Japanese perspectives, yet present themselves as if they speak on behalf of Japanese culture. It reflects a lack of regard and respect for both the culture and the concept they so enthusiastically promote.
Misogi wo samaseru
A related Japanese expression worth noting is misogi wo sumaseru: to finish or complete one’s misogi (purification)「禊（みそぎ）を済ませる」. It means taking responsibility for something you’ve done wrong, acknowledging it, settling it, and making amends to move forward.
If you wish to take inspiration from misogi, then reflect on the mistakes or wrongdoings from your past that you have yet to fully admit to or make right, and then do the right thing—whether that is offering an apology or taking steps to make things right.
Frequently Asked Ikigai Questions
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