@Aman hotels / @Aman Tokyo
In recent years, Japan has increasingly become a source of inspiration for wellness strategies. Japanese philosophies like Ikigai, the art of living with purpose, and Wabi-Sabi, finding beauty in imperfection, have inspired a wave of self-help books and lifestyle trends worldwide. However, there’s a deeper well of Japanese practices rooted in resilience, acceptance, patience, and self-discipline—qualities that can be vital to modern wellbeing.
Let’s take a deeper look at five specific Japanese concepts—Kintsugi, Kaizen, Oubaitori, Shikata ga nai, and Gaman—and explore how these philosophies could be applied to the way we approach mental health, growth, and resilience today.
1. Kintsugi: The Art of Embracing Imperfections
Kintsugi, which means “golden joinery,” is the Japanese art of mending broken pottery by filling cracks with powdered gold. Rather than hiding flaws, Kintsugi emphasizes them, celebrating the brokenness as part of the object’s history. This mindset turns physical fractures into something beautiful, signifying resilience and acceptance.
Application to Wellbeing: Kintsugi suggests a paradigm shift from “fixing” to “accepting.” When applied to personal growth, it means acknowledging one’s own “cracks”—whether they’re emotional scars or past mistakes—without trying to erase them. Instead of seeing life’s challenges as setbacks, we might view them as valuable parts of our story. However, in an era driven by perfectionism and self-optimization, celebrating our flaws can feel countercultural. Kintsugi invites us to see personal history, with all its imperfections, as a unique and irreplaceable foundation for growth.
2. Kaizen: The Principle of Continuous Improvement
Kaizen—meaning “good change”—is a principle often associated with Japanese manufacturing, notably Toyota, where it underpins a commitment to ongoing incremental improvements. But Kaizen is more than a productivity hack; it represents a mindset where small, consistent changes add up to meaningful transformations over time.
Application to Wellbeing: In a world of quick fixes and “miracle” routines, Kaizen reminds us that sustainable progress is often incremental. Applying Kaizen to personal wellbeing might mean setting smaller, achievable goals, whether it’s spending five minutes meditating each day or committing to a weekly walk. However, it’s worth considering the pressures Kaizen can sometimes impose—when does the focus on continuous improvement turn into an obsession? While the idea is that small steps lead to big changes, it’s important to remember that progress, especially when it comes to mental health, doesn’t always need to be linear.
3. Oubaitori: Respecting Individual Growth Paths
The concept of Oubaitori comes from a Japanese proverb inspired by four trees that bloom in different seasons—the cherry, plum, apricot, and peach. Each tree has its own time to flower, symbolizing that people, too, should not compare their growth to others. The concept encourages us to focus on our unique paths without unnecessary comparison.
Application to Wellbeing: In today’s hyper-connected world, Oubaitori offers a counterbalance to the pressure of social comparison. Constant exposure to others’ achievements—career milestones, fitness journeys, and curated success stories—can easily trigger a sense of inadequacy. However, adopting Oubaitori can help alleviate this stress by embracing personal timelines, focusing on individual strengths, and trusting in our unique paths. However, embracing this approach is easier said than done in a culture that often celebrates “winners” and “best practices.” The challenge, then, is to find comfort in progress rather than perfection.
4. Shikata Ga Nai: Accepting What Cannot Be Changed
Shikata ga nai, meaning “it cannot be helped,” is a philosophy of acceptance in the face of situations beyond one’s control. It teaches us to acknowledge things that cannot be changed and to move forward, a perspective especially relevant in challenging or uncertain times.
Application to Wellbeing: Shikata ga nai serves as a reminder of the benefits of surrendering to circumstances we can’t control—whether that’s a delayed flight, a difficult relationship, or a global pandemic. In the West, where solutions and fixes are heavily emphasized, the notion of “it is what it is” might feel passive. But Shikata ga nai is about conscious acceptance, not defeat. While it can offer a mental release, the practice also needs to be balanced with agency—acknowledging when we should let go versus when it’s worth advocating for change.
5. Gaman: Enduring with Patience and Dignity
Finally, Gaman is the Japanese practice of enduring difficult situations with patience and dignity. While it could be associated with stoicism, Gaman is also about showing resilience without succumbing to frustration, complaint, or despair. It suggests strength in silence and the power of self-restraint.
Application to Wellbeing: In an era of self-expression and advocacy for mental health, Gaman might feel somewhat out of place. While patience and self-control are undoubtedly virtues, some critique Gaman for potentially fostering emotional suppression. When enduring becomes silent suffering, it can strain mental health rather than improve it. Yet, balanced appropriately, Gaman offers a path to internal resilience that is both admirable and useful, teaching us to face life’s trials with a calm mind.
A Balanced Path to Wellbeing
Together, these five Japanese philosophies encourage a journey toward resilience, acceptance, and growth. When applied thoughtfully, Kintsugi, Kaizen, Oubaitori, Shikata ga nai, and Gaman provide rich frameworks for self-acceptance, patience, and realistic growth. However, the key is to adapt these concepts thoughtfully rather than adopting them wholesale. While they can offer valuable insights, we must also balance them with self-compassion, emotional expression, and a deep respect for our individual needs and challenges. In an age of relentless self-optimization, sometimes, the greatest improvement comes from embracing our own humanity and imperfections, one step—or crack—at a time.
@Aman hotels / @Aman Tokyo
