Ikigai

QUOTE

Pablo Picasso once said…

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

(Spanish painter and sculptor)

CONCEPT

Ikigai

Ikigai is a Japanese concept often translated as "a reason for being." It represents the intersection of four key elements: what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be rewarded for—whether financially or otherwise.

At its core, Ikigai highlights the importance of living a life imbued with passion and purpose.

Rather than simply pursuing external validation or material gains, Ikigai encourages us to align our daily actions with our personal values and talents, contributing to both our own fulfillment and the well-being of others.

STORY

The Topless … Mountain?

High above the bustling streets of Tokyo, in a modest, subterranean spot nestled within Ginza Station, lives an embodiment of Ikigai: Jiro Ono, owner and master chef of Sukiyabashi Jiro.

Regarded by many as one of the greatest sushi masters in the world, Jiro has devoted his life to the pursuit of perfect sushi. He opened his first restaurant in 1965, and from that moment forward, he approached every step of his craft—sourcing fish at the crack of dawn, selecting the ideal ratio of vinegar to rice—with almost monastic dedication.

Despite his global fame and having earned three Michelin stars for years on end, Jiro’s passion remains steadfast.

Now well into his 90s, he still arrives early each morning to oversee every detail of his restaurant’s operations. His tuna supplier knows that Jiro will reject even the slightest imperfection; the rice merchant jokes that he refuses to sell to anyone else because no other customer has Jiro’s discerning taste.

This obsessive attention to detail might seem extreme, but it’s precisely this commitment that gives him purpose.

Every piece of sushi served is meticulously crafted—tender fish gently draped over hand-formed rice that’s meant to be eaten in a single bite. Jiro’s philosophy reflects the core principles of Ikigai. He is doing what he loves (preparing sushi), excelling at it through decades of refined practice, fulfilling a genuine need (bringing exquisite culinary experiences to the world), and earning a living from his art.

The drama of Jiro’s story lies not in conflict but in the unwavering pursuit of perfection—a pursuit that requires humility as much as skill. Jiro has famously said, “I will continue to climb, trying to reach the top ... but no one knows where the top is.”

Through his craft, Jiro Ono illustrates that when we devote ourselves wholeheartedly to what we love and do best, we find a deeper sense of fulfillment that resonates far beyond the boundaries of our work.