An ex-colleague at my previous school gave me this book, presumably because of my affinity with Japanese culture. I didn’t really enjoy reading it the first time. I think I expected an exploration of how modern people could find ikigai in their wretched lives, but instead I was treated to snippets of Japanese history like Nobunaga Oda destroying the 4th starry bowl or Hideyoshi Toyotomi banning Christianity. Some people enjoy history; I prefer to grapple with current realities.

But thank god that I decided to read this again before I recycle it (https://diaperfinancingfund.blogspot.com/2023/12/1-making-money-out-of-recycling.html?m=1). I thought I derived more utility and wisdom the 2nd time round.

The greatest insight for me is how one will naturally negate the self as he pursues his ikigai. This is very different from my conditioning as a wannabe content creator in this noisy world, feeling compelled to draw attention to myself and my work. I realise how the Japanese let go of their egos as they delight in the small things that make them happy. Ken Mogi gave plenty of authentic examples: court musicians playing music to deceased spirits, lower-ranked sumo wrestlers at the beck and call of sekitori (top 10% of wrestlers); and cos-players. I think the cos-players was a striking example because they literally hide behind the persona of an anime character. All these people do what they do, neither for fame nor for fortune, but simply for the pleasure of expressing themselves. I find this illuminating, given that I feel the need to let people know my particularities. Perhaps I need to release the self and keep a low(er) profile.

Another thing that made an indelible impression is the low time-preference factor inherent in some endeavours. Did you know that Ise Shrine is dismantled and then rebuilt every 20 years? As if this isn’t impressive enough, did you know that Japanese craftsmen need to plan for the sources of hinoki trees that will be used as logs in the shrine buildings. Some of these trees need to be more than 200 years old.

I am flabbergasted. Just the thought of scheduling my child’s vaccinations throws me off and saps my energy. But these consummate professional have to keep track of all the hinoki trees growing in Japan and make sure that they don’t just get enough trees for the rebuilding this time round, but for subsequent years to come. WHY ARE THEY NOT OVERWHELMED BY THE LOGISTICS OF SUCH PLANNING?

But I guess I already know the answer. Because they value the Ise Shrine tremendously, they are willing to do what it takes to ensure that the skills for building it are passed down from one generation of carpenters to another.

It thus caused me to wonder. What endeavour is there in my life that will bewitch me sufficiently such that I will go all out and go the long haul, devoting tonnes of my time and energy without expectation of any formal rewards? I’m not quite there yet as a human being.