Uk Greetings- The 'Ikigai' Collection
The 'Ikigai' collection is a series of stationery designs inspired by Japanese culture and their popular teachings about "the purpose of life". Initially inspired by the cultural celebration of ‘The Shibazakura flower festival’ in Japan, ‘Ikigai’ was created by combining the idea of peace and mindfulness together. 'Ikigai' directly translates to "the purpose of life". This collection celebrates the idea that everyone's 'Ikigai' in life is different, and to treat life in a more stress-free manner.
This annual celebration is a flower festival by mount fuji. The location is smothered with five different pink phlox flowers, creating colourful carpets, making a beautiful and peaceful scenery.
The theme of peacefulness has been furthered by looking into mindful practices and how humans can do this through self reflection, and ways to de-stress.
The literal translation of ‘Ikigai’, is the ‘reason for being’, the same reason as to why you get up every morning. The ideology behind this concept is the source of value in one’s life, or things that make one’s life worthwhile. Other principles include the self- reflection of your life purpose and meaning, being mindful about reducing stress, (as intense stress is a known enemy of longevity and both mental and physical health), and the fact that everyone’s ikigai in life is different, whether that applies to career or hobbies.
Inspiration of ‘The Shibazakura festival’ ties in well with the overall collection, as the scenery of the location subtly symbolises the same ideologies as ‘ikigai’.
Mountains represent obstacles, achievement, paths to success and even loss, whereas flowers symbolise both happy and sad emotions. They are the eye- candy for the soul and also restore our sense of balance, keeping the peace between things.
Moreover, the colour pink relates to unconditional love, whether that be affection towards relationships or ourselves. Pink contains the need for the action of red, helping it achieve the potential for success and insight offered by white- similar to the principles of ‘Ikigai’.
