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Tribune News Service

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
Penguin Books
3.5/5 stars

Ikigai, loosely translated from the Japanese as “reason for living”, encourages us to discover ours by reflecting on what we find at the intersection of our passion, our mission, our profession and our vocation.
2017: the year Asian-American writers broke into mainstream of US literary publishing
In Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles travel to Ogimi, a rural town of 3,000 people in Okinawa, Japan. Ogimi is one of the world’s five heralded “Blue Zones”, places noted for their large populations of long-livers – and by long we mean older than age 90 and even up to 110.

To what do these simple, joyous and healthy people attribute the gift of their old age? Their secrets are not necessarily surprising, but definitely worth the time it will take you to enjoy a cup or two of green tea as you digest this small, charming book.

Advice includes: nurture friendships; be part of a larger community; eat lightly; slow down and live in the moment; smile and be optimistic; reconnect with nature; give thanks; and keep your mind and body active – not exercise, necessarily, but more like finding joy in the small acts of everyday living.
Author Jade Chang’s mission to smash Chinese stereotypes in literature, and have a laugh
And most important, find your ikigai, the spark that ignites your spirit and can light the way to a long and happy life.


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Wellness

Reason for living – read Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life to find the spark that ignites your spirit

Nurturing friendships and keeping mind and body active are two of the pieces of advice given in Ikigai for living long and happy. Photo: Shutterstock

F4WD61 Shioya Ungami, an annual festival in Ogimi Village, Okinawa. Wet costumes dry out after the festival.

GHXPJW Toshiko Taira age 96 Japanese Living National Treasure, Ogimi Village Bashofu Hall, Kijoka, Ogimi, Okinawa

Ikigai cover

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How To Grow Old book cover

Culture

Books

Lifestyle

Health & Wellness

Health

Authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles’ charming little book may not be packed with surprises but is definitely worth the time it will take you to enjoy a cup or two of green tea as you digest its useful contents


Ikigai means reason for living, and this charming little book by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles is definitely worth the time it will take you to enjoy a cup or two of green tea as you digest its useful contents


An assessment or critique of a service, product or creative endeavour.  Film reviews, restaurant reviews, reviews of art exhibitions. (Eg. Crazy Rich Asians: an important film, yes, but a good one?)


Review

Review | Reason for living – read Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life to find the spark that ignites your spirit

Authors Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles’ charming little book may not be packed with surprises but is definitely worth the time it will take you to enjoy a cup or two of green tea as you digest its useful contents

2017: the year Asian-American writers broke into mainstream of US literary publishing