11 Japanese Concepts of Life I Use (to boost creativity)
I’ve been living in Japan on and off for the past 5 years. It’s an amazing country and I love studying the language. In many ways, it feels like a second home.
In my adventures, I’ve found many nuggets of wisdom and shareworthy ideas. So these are my favorite Japanese concepts of life.
Let’s get to it.
1. Muri shinai de
I recently heard this phrase from a friend. And it’s quickly become a go-to expression for me.
Muri shinai de means “take it easy” or “don’t overdo it”. But it’s more nuanced than just this.
The expression is heartfelt and has a much deeper meaning than just saying “take a break” (as we would in English). It’s an awesome way to show someone that you really truly care.
I see this phrase as a way of life. It’s a reminder that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.
Muri shinai de and creativity:
I’ve felt plenty of burnout with music and creative pursuits, but the key is to take breaks (not quit)
Muri shinai de reminds me this simple truth and to go easy on myself
2. Shinrin-yoku
You may have heard of or seen this phrase before.
Shinrin-yoku means “forest bathing”. But really, it’s the art of connecting more deeply with nature and your natural surroundings.
It’s all too easy to be separate from these earthly things, so shinrin-yoku is my personal reminder.
If you’re keen to adopt this way of life, you could take a light hike or even try meditating in the park.
Shinrin-yoku and creativity:
Nature and creativity are close friends and shinrin-yoku elevates this relationship
I use this concept as a way to self reflect, discover new ideas and step away for clarity
3. Ikigai
I love this next Japanese concept.
Ikigai means your “life purpose” or “reason for being”. It’s the art of finding your why in life.
It’s also believed to be one of the core reasons for how the centenarians of Okinawa live so long and stay healthy.
So if you’re looking to adopt a Japanese life concept or two, this one is definitely worth your time.
Ikigai and creativity:
Assigning a larger purpose or vision to my creative pursuits keeps me motivated and driven
I love using the concept of ikigai to connect my values and purpose to my music or art
4. Wabi-sabi
Wabi-sabi is a great concept.
In the simplest sense, wabi-sabi is the “acceptance of imperfections and awareness of things being ephemeral”.
(yea I know, “simple”, right?)
It’s an aesthetic way of life that puts focus on the transient and imperfect nature of life and things.
Everything is in flux. Life and stuff are dynamic. This is something I like to remember.
Wabi-sabi and creativity
Perfection is an illusion, especially for creativity and acceptance of this reality is super healthy
Using wabi-sabi supports my creative mental health
5. Kaizen
This concept is ubiquitous in the business world (perfect if you’re looking for an entrepreneurial edge).
Kaizen is the Japanese concept of “continuous improvement”.
It’s a form of quality control that values individual progress, productivity and how small actions accumulate to big changes over time.
It’s a life concept that boasts awesome benefits. It’s something I’ve definitely adapted into my own life.
Kaizen and creativity:
There are no finish lines, and creativity is no exception
I like to remember kaizen for skill development, process and continuous creative improvement
6. Bushidō
If you love Japanese history and culture, then you’ll love this concept.
Bushidō is the “moral code, attitudes and lifestyle of the samurai”. Put another way, it’s the samurai spirit.
Some core principles include honor, honesty, loyalty, courage, respect and self control.
Suffice to say, it’s a pretty solid Japanese concept to embrace.
Bushidō and creativity:
Creativity is a lifestyle and full of nuances attitudes and perspectives
Bushidō is a nice template to improve my confidence, control and creative lifestyle
7. Shoshin
This next Zen Buddhist concept is definitely worth a try.
Shoshin is the art of cultivating and having a “beginner’s mind”.
Embracing a learner’s mindset is incredibly helpful for growth, skill building and personal development.
This is a Japanese concept that’s always top of mind for me. I like to remember that everyone knows something that I don’t.
Shoshin and creativity:
Someone always knows something you don’t and remembering this supports my creative growth
Shoshin motivates me to continue learning and approach creativity with a beginner’s mindset
8. Mottainai
This is a great term – and one with a strong sustainability focus.
Mottainai means “wastefulness”. And after living in Japan for many years, I can tell you that mottainai culture is strong.
It’s simply an awareness of wasteful behavior, such as throwing away food or always buying new rather than trying to fix or repurpose something.
This is definitely something we can all benefit from.
Mottainai and creativity:
Mottainai emphasizes not wasting resources or skills and talents, which is helpful for creative growth
This concept also reminds me to keep things minimal and not waste time on unhelpful things
9. Shoganai
If you spend any time in Japan or studying Japanese, you’re bound to come across this term.
Shoganai means “it can’t be helped”. The best English translation I can think of is “it is what it is”.
I hear it often while traveling there and it’s a great way to wrap up a thought (or impress some local friends with your knowledge).
Shoganai and creativity:
Letting go of control is a creative soft skill
Sometimes, creative projects don’t always go as planned and shoganai is a nice reminder that sometimes it’s best to just accept it and move on
10. Mono no aware
Mono means “thing(s)”. And aware means “feeling of…” (among other definitions).
So mono no aware means the “pathos, or empathy, for things and their impermanence”. Similar to wabi-sabi, this concept is a deep awareness of the ephemeral.
It may sound melancholy, but it’s meant to form a deeper connection with the present moment.
And I don’t need to tell you about the benefits of present moment awareness.
Mono no aware and creativity:
Creativity is a process that’s never stagnant
Given the dynamic state of creativity, mono no aware is a way to realize and accept this truth
11. Kintsugi
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with a lacquer (called urushi). Often you’ll see pottery with golden lines filling where the cracks of a broken piece were.
It’s a strong metaphor. When something breaks, you can put it back together so that it ends up becoming something even more beautiful.
I love this idea and it resonates strongly in life.
Kintsugi and creativity:
Creativity involves destruction too
Creativity builds and rebuild things into something aesthetic and artistic
Want More? Okay. Here’s More.
