There Japanese culture is increasingly gaining the attention of the Western world, bringing with it not only fascinating customs and traditions, but also concepts deeply rooted in Eastern philosophy.
These concepts, often difficult to translate precisely, they reflect ancient wisdom that can teach us to live betterwith more awareness and serenity.
Today we want to talk to you about eight Japanese words that cannot be translated into Italian which, if understood and adopted, they can transform the way we approach life.
Ikigai (生き甲斐)
One of the best-known Japanese words is ikigai. Composed of “iki” (life) and “gai” (value), it represents the “reason for being”, the reason why we get out of bed every day. Ikigai is that spark that guides us, uniting passion, vocation and mission.
In a society like ours, where we are often crushed by the weight of external expectations, finding your own ikigai means reconnect with what truly makes us happy.
It is an invitation to discover and cultivate what fulfills us, regardless of what others expect from us. In this way, ikigai leads us towards a more authentic and fulfilling life, where we can find meaning not only in external success, but also in internal satisfaction.
Shōganai (しょうがない)
On the other side of the journey there is shoganaia term that invites us to accept the inevitable. Derived from the expression “shikata ga nai”, it literally means “there is nothing to be done”. This concept embodies the calm acceptance of situations that are beyond our control.
In a world where we are constantly pushed to change and improve, shōganai reminds us that there are times when the only possible response is to accept the circumstances and move forward.
: accepting that some things are out of our control allows us to free ourselves from frustration and live with more serenity.
Fukinsei (不均整)
Another Japanese term that deserves attention is fukinsei – union of the terms “fukin” (asymmetry) and “sei” (shape) – which celebrates asymmetry and imperfection.
In a world that often pushes us towards aesthetic and moral perfection, fukinsei invites us to seeing the beauty right in the imperfectionsboth in nature and in ourselves.
Learning to embrace fukinsei helps us stop judging everything in terms of perfection and develop a more tolerant and compassionate outlook towards our lives and others.
Mugon-no gyō (無言の行)
Silence has great value in Japanese culture, and we find it expressed in mugon-no gyōthe “silence before action”. This term represents the moment of quiet and reflection that precedes any important decision or move.
In a world where everything moves quickly and we are often pushed to react immediately, mugon-no gyō teaches us the importance of stopping and thinking before acting.
This moment of reflection not only allows you to make more thoughtful choices, but also helps you stay calm in stressful situations.
Fuubutsushi (風物詩)
Moving on to a more poetic concept, we find fuubutsushi – union of the words “fuu” (wind), “butsu” (things) and “shi” (poetry) – which describes those things that evoke memories of a particular season.
It could be the smell of rain that reminds us of spring or the crackling of leaves underfoot that takes us to autumn, or even the scent of a freshly baked Christmas cake – just to give a few examples.
Learning to grasp these small moments helps us live with more awareness and to appreciate the deep connections between our emotions and the environment around us. It’s a reminder to finding beauty and meaning even in seemingly insignificant details.
Mono-no aware (物の哀れ)
With mono-no awareJapanese culture offers us a melancholic, but at the same time pacifying, vision of the world.
This term – union of the words “mono” (thing) and “aware” (sadness) – refers to the awareness of the transience of things and the melancholic beauty that it brings with it.
Everything, from human life to moments of joy, is destined to end. However, this awareness should not generate sadness, but rather a deep appreciation for the present.
Living with mono-no aware means accepting that beauty lies precisely in its impermanence, and that every moment is precious precisely because it is fleeting.
Kodawari (こだわり)
Kodawari comes from the verb “kodawaru,” meaning to be attentive to detail, and indicates meticulous dedication to a task or art – not to gain external approval, but to meet a personal standard.
In an age where we often seek recognition from others, kodawari invites us to cultivate our personal excellence, regardless of the opinion of others. Finding joy in work well done, according to one’s own criteria, helps us feel fulfilled and live with greater integrity.
Yugen (幽玄)
Finally, the last term we want to talk to you about is that of yugena concept that encompasses the profound and mysterious beauty that cannot be expressed in words.
Yugen – union of the words “Yū” (deep, dark) and “gen” (mysterious) – invites us to explore the hidden nuances of life and to develop a sensitivity towards everything that is not immediately visible.
It is the subtle beauty of a fog that lifts at dawn, or the inexplicable emotion in front of a work of art that touches us deeply. Yugen teaches us to
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