It’s blossom time again, and where do you find it more beautiful than in Japan?
The Japanese blossom, also known as Sakura, refers to the beautiful pink and white flowers that bloom on cherry blossom trees native to Japan. These flowers are highly revered in Japanese culture, and their blooming marks the beginning of spring in Japan.
If you look very quickly, it looks like a nice colourful picture, but it is far from it.
These are synthetic, mostly polyester and acrylic, discarded garments dumped in a landfill in a 3rd world country. Garments that may have only been worn once, because they are cheap, or poor quality, or already out of fashion.
MOAI – Mo•ai (/mo,eye/) Japan – connected for life
We first learned about the concept of ‘Moai’ when reading the book Ikigai. Moai is a concept from ”blue zone” Okinawa in Japan – a region of the world where people live much longer, happier and healthier than average. Moai is the name for a lifelong group of friends that look out for one another.
MOAI, THE POWER OF DOING things together
Elders in Okinawa, Japan, one of the original blue zones longevity hotspots, live extraordinarily better and longer lives than almost anyone else in the world.
Surprising History of the Kimono
The origins of the kimono go far back. With the word kimono we immediately think of Japan. And that is right, because the origins of the kimono lie in Japan. Just like Ikigai, the inspiration for our brand, also originates from Japan.
Kimono is the Japanese word for clothing. Nowadays, the word is mainly used to refer to specific Japanese traditional clothing. The kimono is traditional in Japan, but in the West, the kimono is nowadays a very trendy garment. It is originally made with straight lines, which makes the garment suitable for all shapes of people. So is our kimono, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ model that fits everyone.
Below, we take you through the history of the kimono. How did it originate, and what did it mean in Japan throughout the centuries?
When you think, where should I take my next trip, think about the blue zones of the world. Get inspired by the local lifestyles and maybe you’ll adopt some of them and unknowingly add a few years to your life.
There are 5 areas in the world that can call themselves ‘blue zones’.
These are places in the world where people live longer than average. And there is a reason for that!
They call it ‘the secret of longevity’. In other words, ‘the secret of longevity’.
We take you to these special places.
We start in the West and travel to the easternmost Blue Zone.
New at Ikigai accessories blogs is that we will give Ikigai expert Brenda Serrée the podium. With her Ikigai blogs and podcast series ‘Discover your Ikigai’, Brenda inspires about how Ikigai can enrich your life and work. Especially for those who want to attract more energy, fun and fulfilment. The podcasts are conversations with ( well-known) people and entrepreneurs with a strong Ikigai or purpose of life. Just like Ikigai accessories, Brenda loves to show her colours in order to contribute to a more beautiful world. Today she writes her first blog for Ikigai Accessories.
Ganbarismasu!
“Gamba…whatl?” asks Franscesc, laughing. No, not gamba! You say Ganbarismasu and it means “to go to great lengths to achieve a goal”.
This is a quote from the book ‘find your Ikigai’.
Japanese people use this word when they are faced with a challenge. It does not matter whether it is in the area of personal, sports or work. Ganbarismasu means “never giving up”, and that is a characteristic that many Japanese have. An admirable quality. The discipline that comes from it. It can make me jealous sometimes.
Consider more regularly what your goal is. Do you have a goal? I sometimes talk to people who don’t have a very clear idea of what their goal or dream is. The nice thing about not having this is that whatever direction you go is always good, because it doesn’t lead to anything you have defined for yourself. But how nice it can be to be able to define your choices by aligning them with your ultimate goal or dream. Then in every situation where you have to make a choice, you can test it. Does this contribute to my goal, my mission. Am I following my passion in this? And does it make me happy?
Ok, there are plenty of reasons why you need to get out of bed in the morning. You have to go to work on time, your children have to put their lunch in their lunchbox, you have a coffee with your partner, the dog has to go out, the cat wants to eat. All very good reasons to get up, but does it really make you happy?
Just imagine. Lying in your bed in the morning, waking up and thinking, yes, a new day! I am looking forward to it! And not only on the day you go on holiday, but on all the days in between. The thought of your day already gives you energy that runs through your veins. You might even notice a smile appear on your face.
Finding your Ikigai, having success, the similarity between Ikigai and success is that it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time.
This statement by Steve Jobs also applies to your Ikigai:
“I am always amazed that a sudden success can have such a long lead time”.
You don’t find your Ikigai in one day, and so also success is a result of a longer process. Success is a result of a long trajectory. What preceded it is often not visible, or no longer visible.
Free Gift! 