Hibiki Ichikawa: I felt an incredible sense of Ikigai—as if I had truly found my calling.
Ikigai is a concept that is very much integral to Japanese culture. The word 'Ikigai' can be roughly translated to your 'reason for being', or purpose and is not confined to the ‘Venn Diagram’. More on its authentic definition can be explored here.
While Ikigai is essential to one's well-being, the true beauty is that it does not have a fixed equation and can change over time.
At Mogami, we would like to highlight this nuance with our 'Ikigai Spotlight Series'.
This month's featured guest is Hibiki Ichikawa of the Tsugaru Shamisen Akihiro Association (44), a Professional Shamisen Player based in London, UK.
*Tsugaru shamisen is a three-stringed Japanese instrument and genre of music that originated in the Tsugaru Peninsula of Aomori Prefecture in Japan. It's characterised by its loud, fast-paced, and bluesy style, and is often compared to the guitar or banjo.

Tell us your story.
I was born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, and my journey with the Tsugaru shamisen began at the age of 21 when I had the honour of studying under my master, Akihiro Ichikawa. After years of dedication and practice, I was given the professional name “Hibiki Ichikawa” in 2008—a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of my path as a shamisen performer. In 2011, I made the bold decision to move to London, where I embraced the opportunity to share the beauty of shamisen through teaching and performing. After years of building a life and community there, I was granted permanent residency in 2019, allowing me to continue my work and passion in my new home.

What has been your personal journey with your Ikigai(s) or reason for being?
When I first moved to the UK, I came on a two-year visa, knowing my time there had a clear end date. However, as the days passed, I started to feel the importance of the work I was doing and a deepening sense of responsibility to bring the beauty of the Tsugaru shamisen to audiences across Europe. Driven by this purpose, I applied for new visas to allow me to keep going. Finally, when I was granted permanent residency, I felt an incredible sense of Ikigai—as if I had truly found my calling.
How does your life today reflect your authentic self and life priorities?
When I am spending time practising or teaching Tsugaru shamisen.

Can you walk us through a time in your life when you felt lost? What ideas or tools helped you overcome this period?
The journey to obtaining visas, renewals, and finally permanent residency in the UK involved a lot of preparation. I compiled a record of my performance history and awards, studied for the English language test, and prepared for the "Life in the UK" test. After dedicating around two years to thorough preparation, I was able to successfully obtain permanent residency.
What would be your advice to anyone struggling to live a life of Ikigai?
I consider myself fortunate to have found both the Tsugaru shamisen and a life abroad. I believe that discovering one’s Ikigai often comes through meaningful connections with others.
What does being a Professional Shamisen Player mean to you?
I hope my work as a Japanese Tsugaru shamisen player in the UK and Europe inspires people to explore the world of Tsugaru shamisen and, through its music, encourages them to one day visit Japan.
Reflection by Saori Okada, Founder of Mogami Wellness
Reading Hibiki Ichikawa-san’s story, I was struck by the quiet determination that shaped his journey—not just in mastering the Tsugaru shamisen, but in carving out a space for it in a completely new cultural landscape.
As someone whose mother’s side of the family is from Aomori, the birthplace of Tsugaru shamisen, I have always felt a quiet reverence for the resilience and spirit behind this art form. Rooted in the traditions of travelling musicians, the Tsugaru shamisen is an instrument that has carried stories across generations, much like Hibiki-san’s own journey. The way he speaks about his sense of responsibility to bring its beauty to new audiences resonates deeply with the idea that Ikigai is not just personal fulfilment—it is something that extends beyond ourselves.
His story is a reflection of how the path to Ikigai is rarely linear—it requires patience, resilience, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even when the destination is uncertain. Most of all, I was moved by his belief that Ikigai is found through meaningful connections. Whether through his music, teaching, or the communities he has built, Hibiki-san’s journey is a reminder that when we are deeply connected to something—be it an art form, a place, or the people we serve—it has the power to shape our sense of purpose in ways we could never have predicted.
I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on his dedication, perseverance, and the way he continues to carry the sound of Tsugaru shamisen across borders. His story is a powerful reminder that Ikigai is not about reaching an endpoint, but about following what feels meaningful, even when the path is uncertain.
Do you want to learn more?
You can follow and support Hibiki Ichikawa-san and his work below.
What did this story bring up for you? Comment below.
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