Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life Hardcover – 27 September 2017
Delivery by: Thursday, Oct 15 Details
THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER
We all have an ikigai.
It's the Japanese word for ‘a reason to live’ or ‘a reason to jump out of bed in the morning’.
It’s the place where your needs, desires, ambitions, and satisfaction meet. A place of balance. Small wonder that finding your ikigai is closely linked to living longer.
Finding your ikigai is easier than you might think. This book will help you work out what your own ikigai really is, and equip you to change your life. You have a purpose in this world: your skills, your interests, your desires and your history have made you the perfect candidate for something. All you have to do is find it.
Do that, and you can make every single day of your life joyful and meaningful.
‘I read it and it’s bewitched me ever since. I’m spellbound.’
Chris Evans
'Ikigai gently unlocks simple secrets we can all use to live long, meaningful, happy lives. Science-based studies weave beautifully into honest, straight-talking conversation you won’t be able to put down. Warm, patient, and kind, this book pulls you gently along your own journey rather than pushing you from behind.' Neil Pasricha, bestselling author of The Happiness Equation
Save Extra with 4 offers
- Bank Offer (4): 10% Instant discount with AU Bank Debit Cards Here's how
- Get 5% up to Rs. 1500 Instant Discount on Bank of Baroda Credit EMI transactions Here's how
- Get 5% up to Rs. 1500 Instant Discount on HSBC Credit Card EMI transactions Here's how
- 5% Instant discount with HSBC Cashback card Here's how
- Cashback (2): 5% back with Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit card for Prime-members. 3% back for everybody else. Here's how
- Get 10% up to ₹150 back, pay with Amazon Pay UPI. Valid once per customer on 1st Amazon Pay UPI transaction on App. Click here to check eligibility Here's how
- No Cost EMI: Avail No Cost EMI on select cards for orders above ₹3000 Here's how
- Partner Offers (3): Buy now & pay next month at 0% interest or pay in EMIs with Amazon Pay Later. Instant credit upto ₹20,000. Check eligibility here! Here's how
- Avail EMI on Debit Cards. Get credit up to ₹1,00,000. Check eligibility here Here's how
- Get GST invoice and save up to 28% on business purchases. Sign up for free Here's how
Product description
Review
I love [this] book… I read it and it’s bewitched me ever since. I’m spellbound -- Chris Evans, Radio 2
The New "Hygge", The People's Friend
If you feel you've lost your mojo, Ikigai could be the bedside reading you need to kickstart a more mindful 2018, Vegetarian Living
This book is beautifully and delicately written. It is perfect for the real world…comforting, easy to read, Nouse
If you're feeling slightly lost with regard to your direction in life, this book is a wonderfully warm, kind and comforting readfor you., Keisei Magazine
The New "Hygge", The People's Friend
If you feel you've lost your mojo, Ikigai could be the bedside reading you need to kickstart a more mindful 2018, Vegetarian Living
This book is beautifully and delicately written. It is perfect for the real world…comforting, easy to read, Nouse
If you're feeling slightly lost with regard to your direction in life, this book is a wonderfully warm, kind and comforting readfor you., Keisei Magazine
About the Author
Héctor GarcÃa (Author)
Héctor GarcÃa is a citizen of Japan, where he has lived for over a decade, and of Spain, where he was born. He is the author of several books about Japanese culture, including two worldwide bestsellers, A Geek in Japan and Ikigai. A former software engineer, he worked at CERN in Switzerland before moving to Japan.
Francesc Miralles (Author)
Francesc Miralles is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of books about how to live well, together with the novels Love in Small Letters and Wabi-Sabi.
Alongside Héctor GarcÃa, he was welcomed to Okinawa in Japan, where the inhabitants live for longer than in any other place in the world. There they had the chance to interview more than a hundred villagers about their philosophy for a long and happy life.
Héctor GarcÃa is a citizen of Japan, where he has lived for over a decade, and of Spain, where he was born. He is the author of several books about Japanese culture, including two worldwide bestsellers, A Geek in Japan and Ikigai. A former software engineer, he worked at CERN in Switzerland before moving to Japan.
Francesc Miralles (Author)
Francesc Miralles is the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of books about how to live well, together with the novels Love in Small Letters and Wabi-Sabi.
Alongside Héctor GarcÃa, he was welcomed to Okinawa in Japan, where the inhabitants live for longer than in any other place in the world. There they had the chance to interview more than a hundred villagers about their philosophy for a long and happy life.
Product details
- Item Weight : 247 g
- Hardcover : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 178633089X
- ISBN-13 : 978-1786330895
- Product Dimensions : 13.6 x 2.3 x 18.4 cm
- Publisher : Random House UK (27 September 2017)
- Language: : English
- Best Sellers Rank: #2 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Personal Development & Self-Help
- #1 in Mind, Body & Spirit
- #1 in Meditation (Books)
Top reviews from India
Reviewed in India on 12 October 2018
Verified Purchase
The book does a decent job of relating the concept of Ikigai to modern day psychology (with Frankl's Logotherapy from Man's Search for Meaning among others) and a few scientific references in a simple manner. It talks about how purpose plays an important role in a man's life and the different ways in which it manifests itself. It also tackles some ways to 'find your flow' and ensure that what you do receives 100% of your attention and that you enjoy whatever you are creating.
The book also discusses certain other Japanese concepts like takumi (specialized workers) and moai (connections with community or friend-circle). The brief discussions have the benefit of being to the point and simple but also pose the risk of trivializing them into regular self-help advice. The book also delves into Japanese perspectives on living life and persevering without getting caught up in artificially-created urgency. But again, maybe the authors wished for the readers to research more or meditate more on the content given the concise treatment of the same.
The chapters on diet and exercises have more details and thus, may be more useful. Certain foods are dealt with in greater detail as is the concept of 'hara hachi bu' wherein one eats only 80% of what would actually assuage his hunger. The chapter on exercises includes illustrations and steps. While they may suffice for some of the purposes mentioned in the book - the philosophy behind them, progressive increments and other essential details are missing or insufficient.
I was interested in the concept of Ikigai and wanted to read more about it. Despite being well-written and presenting modern applications, the book did not fulfill my requirements at all. Some of the condensed content made me think that the extended research, including on-site interviews, done by the authors for writing this book was clearly lost in translation or presentation in certain parts.
The hardcover is pretty and soothing with its matte texture. Inner pages are smooth and heavy with a cream tinge. The font size is good. The spine as well as pages hold up well. Overall, the book is quite light and sturdy. Bought it for INR 460 against MRP of INR 499.
The book also discusses certain other Japanese concepts like takumi (specialized workers) and moai (connections with community or friend-circle). The brief discussions have the benefit of being to the point and simple but also pose the risk of trivializing them into regular self-help advice. The book also delves into Japanese perspectives on living life and persevering without getting caught up in artificially-created urgency. But again, maybe the authors wished for the readers to research more or meditate more on the content given the concise treatment of the same.
The chapters on diet and exercises have more details and thus, may be more useful. Certain foods are dealt with in greater detail as is the concept of 'hara hachi bu' wherein one eats only 80% of what would actually assuage his hunger. The chapter on exercises includes illustrations and steps. While they may suffice for some of the purposes mentioned in the book - the philosophy behind them, progressive increments and other essential details are missing or insufficient.
I was interested in the concept of Ikigai and wanted to read more about it. Despite being well-written and presenting modern applications, the book did not fulfill my requirements at all. Some of the condensed content made me think that the extended research, including on-site interviews, done by the authors for writing this book was clearly lost in translation or presentation in certain parts.
The hardcover is pretty and soothing with its matte texture. Inner pages are smooth and heavy with a cream tinge. The font size is good. The spine as well as pages hold up well. Overall, the book is quite light and sturdy. Bought it for INR 460 against MRP of INR 499.
Reviewed in India on 14 October 2019
Verified Purchase
The Japanese secrets to a long and happy life u can really find your ikigai it will show how to leave urgency behind,and find our purpose,nurture ,friendship and throw yourself to your passion
Its my own rating no one paid or asked its just my Opinion
I learnt something in every books I read
It has many information about many things
Take a page ask yourself a question
1)What u love
2)what u are good at
3)what the world needs
4)what can u be paid
What's your reason for being
We should always challenge our brain that we think we can't do don't do many of things at once do one by one
Fill new information every day to your brain
Don't over stress little stress is needed or else we will be lazy be calm
READ LOTS OF BOOK 's....reread till u understand
If I wasted anyone's time sorry for that
Have a nice and happy stress free day a head there are many exercise that japense do daily at morning
Good book😊
Anyone can buy and read it is easy English
Its my own rating no one paid or asked its just my Opinion
I learnt something in every books I read
It has many information about many things
Take a page ask yourself a question
1)What u love
2)what u are good at
3)what the world needs
4)what can u be paid
What's your reason for being
We should always challenge our brain that we think we can't do don't do many of things at once do one by one
Fill new information every day to your brain
Don't over stress little stress is needed or else we will be lazy be calm
READ LOTS OF BOOK 's....reread till u understand
If I wasted anyone's time sorry for that
Have a nice and happy stress free day a head there are many exercise that japense do daily at morning
Good book😊
Anyone can buy and read it is easy English
Reviewed in India on 8 April 2019
Verified Purchase
I personally believe that having a purpose on in life and then giving it your all is the most important to lead a happy life. This book validates so.
Ikigai is a short but not very short book based on a Japanese concept. According to this concept, we find the deeply sown purpose of our lives from within ourselves by defining our passion, mission, vocation and profession. It gives you tips as to how the simplest things in our life, like sometimes, taking a pause, are what will give us a long and happy life.
I bought a hardcover because of it’s extremely pretty cover. The cover itself will soothe your mind whenever you look at it. The title does go with the book but personally for me, not as I thought it would.
If you are expecting it to help you find your Ikigai, give you step by step solution as to how you can find it and reward it with millions of dollars, you’ll be disappointed. This book is full of facts, real life experience from Japan’s Okinawa and compels you to focus more on you : your health, your choices, your focus and your inner happiness. It will probably be the only book you’ll come across that tells you to take it, relax, but also burn in your passion.
The language is as simplistic and beautiful as the cover and it’s content. Not many tough words and very beginner-friendly in the reading world. The structure to is great with a prologue, 9 chapters, an epilogue and a list of more suggestions for you to explore in the end.
Coming to the overall feel of the book, it’s very cozy. In it’s own way, it also does help you slightly to find your own Ikigai.
I thought it would be a full on hustle kind of book but I felt relaxed after this read. I was ready to take on my tasks stress-free. Though it is not something extremely crazy and different, it definitely is a one-time read for all the hustlers or non-hustlers out there who think they have to punish themselves to get what they want.
Ikigai is a short but not very short book based on a Japanese concept. According to this concept, we find the deeply sown purpose of our lives from within ourselves by defining our passion, mission, vocation and profession. It gives you tips as to how the simplest things in our life, like sometimes, taking a pause, are what will give us a long and happy life.
I bought a hardcover because of it’s extremely pretty cover. The cover itself will soothe your mind whenever you look at it. The title does go with the book but personally for me, not as I thought it would.
If you are expecting it to help you find your Ikigai, give you step by step solution as to how you can find it and reward it with millions of dollars, you’ll be disappointed. This book is full of facts, real life experience from Japan’s Okinawa and compels you to focus more on you : your health, your choices, your focus and your inner happiness. It will probably be the only book you’ll come across that tells you to take it, relax, but also burn in your passion.
The language is as simplistic and beautiful as the cover and it’s content. Not many tough words and very beginner-friendly in the reading world. The structure to is great with a prologue, 9 chapters, an epilogue and a list of more suggestions for you to explore in the end.
Coming to the overall feel of the book, it’s very cozy. In it’s own way, it also does help you slightly to find your own Ikigai.
I thought it would be a full on hustle kind of book but I felt relaxed after this read. I was ready to take on my tasks stress-free. Though it is not something extremely crazy and different, it definitely is a one-time read for all the hustlers or non-hustlers out there who think they have to punish themselves to get what they want.
Top reviews from other countries
Steve Roche
Genuinely helpful in the search for meaning
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2018Verified Purchase
The negative reviewers seem to have largely missed the point. Or to have been looking for something they will not find in a book. Yes there are chapters on diet and exercise, and the content of these is not particularly new or surprising (however irritating it may be, these things are indeed features of a healthy lifestyle).
But there is a good deal more, including the sense of purpose and meaning that is common to those who have lived to an advanced age. The way this is explored and its links to, for example, logotherapy, are helpful and illuminating. Ikigai offers a genuine recipe for living a meaningful life if you are prepared to give it some time and thought.
I strongly disagree with the reviewer who wanted it to be much longer! Most books are badly overwritten and in need of editing: the value of a book is in the quality of its content, not the number of pages it fills. This one is attractively presented, says what it needs to, then stops.
But there is a good deal more, including the sense of purpose and meaning that is common to those who have lived to an advanced age. The way this is explored and its links to, for example, logotherapy, are helpful and illuminating. Ikigai offers a genuine recipe for living a meaningful life if you are prepared to give it some time and thought.
I strongly disagree with the reviewer who wanted it to be much longer! Most books are badly overwritten and in need of editing: the value of a book is in the quality of its content, not the number of pages it fills. This one is attractively presented, says what it needs to, then stops.
RMW
superb and simple book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 March 2018Verified Purchase
simple book about life, long and happy life, that can be so universal for any person in current world.
this book is for everyone: poor or rich, happy or unhappy, modern or old fashion, young or old ...
it may change the way that you see yourself.
do not be afraid to read it and enjoy the universal secret of a long and happy life
this book is for everyone: poor or rich, happy or unhappy, modern or old fashion, young or old ...
it may change the way that you see yourself.
do not be afraid to read it and enjoy the universal secret of a long and happy life
hala
Misleading Title
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 September 2018Verified Purchase
I thought this book was going to go in depth into this Japanese philosophy called 'ikigai'. It was sadly, mostly about centenarians and how to live a healthy life (which constituted of all the cliche advice that you can read in an online article. I had to skip through the entire chapter that explains all the yoga and Tai Chi poses with pictures (seriously?). I was very excited about this purchase, luckily for me it was only 1.99. Had I paid 9 pounds for this, I would have been massively disappointed.
Caps
A Peaceful Read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2018Verified Purchase
Very enjoyable book, especially made for folk who like to learn about other people and so more about themselves. It's gentle and informative, giving thoughts on everything from how people tune their minds, to different forms of exercise and tips on tea, as well as news of the way certain parts of Japan live their lives, given in such a way as to feel more like we are visiting than reading.
A. R. Jones
Disappointing: a glossy magazine attempt at understanding Ikigai
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 November 2018Verified Purchase
Ikigai remains a ‘Japanese secret’ having read this book. Not that I was expecting ‘the answer’ but was expecting more of an analysis than drawing on occidental studies mostly from psychology to understanding a deeply oriental way of being. The book is most interesting when the voices of those living the ikigai life is present and less so in the other 75% of the book which is largely the authors “explaining” things through a very narrow lens.
0 Comments