What life lessons can Japanese Culture teach us?
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick welcomes back Saori Okada to dive into her new book, Wisdom of Japan, exploring key Japanese concepts and proverbs that reveal timeless insights for living a mindful and meaningful life.
Podcast Highlights
- Authoring a new book. Saori shares how the opportunity to write her new book came about.
- Shin/Kokoro. Saori explains the meaning of shin/kokoro.
- Yutori. Nick and Saori discuss what yutori is.
- Isogaba maware. Saori explains the concept of isogaba maware.
- Setsunai. Saori explains another proverb mentioned in her book.
- Kacho fugetsu. Saori explains the Japanese concept of Kacho fugetsu.
- Yu and Gi. Saori talks about the two Bushido-inspired concepts mentioned in her book.
- Shinki Ryoku no Icchi. Saori explains the meaning of the proverb.
- Saori’s favorite proverb. Saori shares her favorite proverb from her book.
Saori Okada
Saori Okada is the founder and managing director of Mogami 最上 Ltd., a Japanese wellness company headquartered in London, UK; the mission of Mogami is to empower and liberate individuals to take back control of their wellness. Saori is also a certified Project Manager (PMP), Holistic Wellness Coach (CTNC), and Japanese calligrapher (gifted calligrapher name of Seisen 星洗).
Before founding Mogami, she spent time living in NY working in the digital and market research space as a Director of Customer Success at Comscore. She is also passionate about staying active through sports (golfer, Muay Thai kickboxing, and pilates) and finding the best parks & Americanos in London.
She previously appeared as a podcast guest on Episode 35, where she spoke about what it truly means to be Japanese.
Authoring a new book
Saori recently published her new book, Wisdom of Japan. She explains that the idea for the book came from a UK independent publisher who wanted an accessible, introductory book on Japanese culture. The book features 60 timeless Japanese concepts designed to support the mind, body, and soul, written in a simple yet authentic way so anyone can understand them.
Each concept is limited to about 150 words and includes reflection or action elements, which was a new and meaningful challenge for her. She also carefully selected a traditional ukiyo-e print for each concept, ensuring the visuals aligned with and enhanced the ideas—a process that took as much effort as the writing itself.Shin/kokoro
Many of the cultural concepts mentioned in Saori’s book include the notion of shin, which can also be understood as kokoro. Kokoro is a central Japanese concept that unites the mind, heart, and soul into one interconnected whole, rather than treating them as separate elements, as is often done in Western culture.
She highlights how Japanese language and culture emphasize this unity through words like kokorozashi (moving in the direction of one’s heart or intention) and ishin-deshin (a deep, soul-to-soul connection). Overall, she notes that Japanese culture is often guided by kokoro—a blend of mental, emotional, and spiritual awareness—rather than being purely mind-driven.Yutori
Yutori is the concept of living with spaciousness—having room not just in time, but mentally, physically, and spiritually. Saori explains it as the antidote to today’s culture of constant busyness and overfilling our lives. Yutori creates space to breathe, reflect, and grow, but in modern life it requires intentional choices, as distractions and constant demands make it easy to lose that sense of balance.
Isogaba maware
Isogaba maware means “if you rush, you’ll go in circles.” It emphasizes that hurrying through challenges often worsens the situation. Using the imagery of someone trying to rush through a storm, Saori illustrates that sometimes the best approach is to pause, stay still, and reflect. This stillness allows clarity, helps you decide what truly matters, and ultimately leads to more effective action, rather than acting impulsively out of a sense of urgency.
Setsunai
Setsunai is a unique Japanese word that captures a bittersweet tug of the heart—the ache of nostalgia that blends joy and sadness when cherishing memories that have passed. Rather than resisting this feeling, Saori suggests embracing it, as it reflects having lived deeply and meaningfully. Setsunai is beautiful because it shows that those moments truly mattered.
“Setsunai makes life worth living because it reminds you that what you lost mattered.” - Nicholas Kemp
Kachō fūgetsu
Kachō fūgetsu is about letting nature inspire both perspective and creativity. The phrase—flower, bird, wind, and moon—captures nature as something to experience and express, allowing it to shape how we see and create. Saori believes nature deeply touches our kokoro (heart), making it a powerful source of creativity, and the imagery of these natural elements evokes a strong desire to connect with and be inspired by the natural world.
Yu and Gi
Saori explains that Yu (courage), a Bushidō virtue, is not just about outward bravery or strength but about having the inner courage to face one’s fears and inner struggles. She emphasizes that true courage is inward-facing and deeply relevant in today’s world. Gi (righteousness), considered the most essential samurai virtue, represents justice, fairness, and integrity. Gi goes beyond strength, reminding us to act with long-term integrity rather than short-term self-interest.
Shinki ryoku no icchi
Ki means energy and is deeply embedded in the Japanese language, as seen in words like genki, which literally asks about one’s foundational energy. It is also used in the proverb shinki ryoku no icchi, a principle from kendo that emphasizes the unity of heart (kokoro), energy (ki), and strength (chikara). When these elements are aligned, true strength and effectiveness emerge—an idea that applies not only to martial arts but also to living in alignment and reaching one’s full potential.
Saori’s Favorite Proverb
“When I look up at the sky, I get a sense of peace and emptiness, and I can almost feel it coming to me as well. It always reminds me that we need this openness, because when we have it, we can be so much better as individuals.” - Saori Okada
Saori says choosing a favorite word feels like choosing a favorite child, but she highlights ku—the concept of space or openness—as especially meaningful to her. Inspired by the open sky, ku represents emptiness that brings peace, clarity, and a sense of connection with nature. She explains that creating this sense of space helps individuals grow and feel more grounded, which reflects what she hopes readers experience through her book.
Conclusion
Japan is more than just a tourist destination—it is a country rich in culture that captivates and inspires. Its unique concepts encourage reflection, helping people appreciate life more deeply and live with greater meaning.