Cherry Blossoms, Yoshuku, and Ima Iwai
I developed a custom that I call Ima Iwai out of Yoshuku. Ima means now, and Iwai means celebration. Ima Iwai means celebrating the present moment, appreciating here and now.
Japanese culture
Hanami: A Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
My son and I had small Hanami, a cherry blossom viewing party yesterday.
Yoshuku: a Japanese method of Manifestation
In the past, people had cherry blossom viewing parties not just to celebrate the blooming, but also to celebrate the rice harvest in Autumn in advance. The cherry blossom was a symbol of a good harvest and prosperity. By celebrating the good harvest in advance, people thought they would manifest that reality.
Going Local Can Help You Find Your Ikigai
Yesterday, I attended a symposium in our town, and Kazumasa Sashide, the editor in chief of a famous magazine called Sotokoto spoke there.
Sotokoto features many projects happening in small rural towns and villages across Japan. Kazumasa Sashide is the author of a book called Bokura Wa Chiho De Shiawase Wo Mitsukeru, We Find Our Happiness in the Countryside. He depicts many cases of young people moving to the countryside and finding their Ikigais.
Hinamatsuri on March 3rd
We have a festival called Hinamatsuri on March 3rd in Japan, but we don’t do anything special in our house since it is more for girls.
HIIT at a Shrine and a Shinon Kansha Candle
Since it was Sunday today I had a break from regular intermittent fasting and exercises, and yet I ended up doing HIIT, High-Intensity Interval Training.
Hare and Ke: the Japanese Secret to Happy Eating
I told you that I practiced intermittent fasting just during the week and rested on the weekend. It is to do with the Japanese concept of Hare and Ke in the Ikigai Diet.
Hinamatsuri Kiko on Omi-Hino-Merchant Street
We cycled along Omi-Hino-Merchant Street today because Hinamatsuri Kiko was taking place. On March 3rd we have a festival called Hinamatsuri in Japan.
We Used to Eat Two Meals a Day in Japan
Intermittent fasting was a common practice in Japan in the past.
Rishun Dinner: Celebrating New Year’s Day in the Lunar Calendar
It was Rishun in Japan yesterday, new year’s day in the lunar calendar, and the beginning of Spring. We had a special dinner to celebrate it.