Rica Takeuchi’s Ikigai unfolds through tea, mindfulness, and connection—showing how presence, balance, and care create meaning.

Ceramic artist Noriko Nagaoka traces her journey from Osaka to London, where a chance encounter with pottery reshaped her life. Her Ikigai lives in the rhythm of creating, meeting others, and staying open to inspiration. Through her craft and daily rituals, Noriko reminds us that meaning is found in presence, curiosity, and the small moments that gently guide us forward.

In our Ikigai Spotlight Series, Senior Artist **Yuumi Yamada** of *The Australian Ballet* shares how a lifelong devotion to dance, moments of doubt, and rediscovery continue to shape her evolving sense of *ikigai*. From leaving Japan at fifteen to pursue her dream in Australia to performing the lead in *Don Quixote* years later, Yuumi’s story reveals that purpose is not a destination, but a dance — one of perseverance, growth, and joy in every step.