IKIGAI: From a Philosophical Concept to an Enrichment of Learning Management

Abstract

In recent years, some dance education practitioners have confronted significant challenges and obstacles regarding traditional pedagogical frameworks, which have been critiqued for being overly teacher-centric, with a lack of flexibility. Students are encouraged to discover value, skills, and benefits of the limited skill development. The integration of pedagogical concepts with the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai is an approcah with an aim to facilitate a paradigm shift toward truly learner-centered education. The philosophy of Ikigai provides a philosophy of life based on Japanese culture that encourages individuals to explore and discover what they love, what they are good at, what benefits them, and what society needs, offering a foundation for living meaningfully. Accordingly, the compelling aspect of applying the Ikigai approach in teaching provides learning experiences based on four central questions: 1) What aspects of classical dance do students enjoy?; 2) What aspects of classical dance are students good at?; 3) What benefits do students derive from classical dance?; and 4) What does society expect or require from classical dance? If classical dance teachers are aware of the above scenarios, it will be a new paradigm shift to foster education that expands the learning to reach true benefits and values and goes beyond learning that is merely grade-level promotion or the discourse reproduction “learn to preserve the national cultural heritage”.