The Ikigai Test

Selected references

The most relevant works on Ikigai

Ikigai ni Tsuite

Mieko Kamiya, 1966

The foundational Japanese scholarly text exploring Ikigai as a source of meaning, vitality, and psychological depth.

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles, 2017

A widely read work drawing on fieldwork in Okinawa, weaving stories with practical wisdom on purpose and longevity.

The Blue Zones

Dan Buettner, 2008

Longevity research across five world regions where a strong sense of purpose, including Ikigai, emerged as a shared trait among centenarians.