Does Traditional Japanese Culture Help People Cope with Stress Using the Concept of Ikigai (Reason for Being)?

Abstract

Many Japanese people in modern society experience stress that may contribute to various kinds of diseases, sometimes resulting in death. One important source of stress comes from an excessive need for approval from others, or sekentei. Recent evidence has shown that ikigai, i.e., a philosophy that establishes the meaning of life, is a more effective way to cope with stress than excessive sekentei. These attitudes are related to prefrontal cortex (PFC) function, which is more evolved in humans compared to other mammals. Ikigai and factors influencing it are common in traditional Japanese culture, and are expressed in traditions such as tea ceremony, ikebana, bonsai, calligraphy, waka and haiku poetry, Japanese painting, pottery, judo, kabuki, and Japanese-style cuisine. Many Japanese people in modern society have an interest in traditional Japanese culture. We discuss the potential significance of traditional Japanese culture on the role of ikigai by referencing previous studies.