A short and focused excursion into the Japanese notion of ikigai, meaning something akin to “a sense of purpose”.

The authors’ interest in the idea comes from studying the residents of an Okinawan village that’s thought to be the home of more centenarians than anywhere else, even in such a traditionally long-lived country as Japan. Studying their habits, the authors don’t fall into the common trap of identifying the “one secret thing” that can transform anyone’s life – although frugality, physical movement, and community clearly all help. The most potentially transformative observation, however, is how the long-lived never retire in any real sense. They’ve found their ikigai, and as such they keep practicing it as a part of what they are rather than as something they simply do (to get paid). This a commonality here with the lives of many scientists, writers, and academics, whose work and lives are so bound together that they never stop working as long as they live – and it’s this that plays a large role in keeping them healthy and alert. It also chimes with a lot of modern advice to follow your passions, and is something that’s eminently practical for everyone.

4/5. Finished Monday 11 April, 2022.

(Originally published on Goodreads.)