Never give up on that dream!
I recently watched a program following the endeavors of a young woman who runs an onigiri shop staffed by aspiring “idols.” She also sponsors some of these young women in their efforts to make it in the idol industry.
She describes her venture as 「大人の青春」(otona no seishun / a “youthful endeavor for adults”). Since coming to Japan nearly four decades ago, I’ve been fascinated by the phenomenon of「青春」(seishun). A rough gloss of seishun might be something like “youthful endeavor.”
Idols in Japan are a bit different from what you see on American Idol. From the late 90s, the meaning of the word idol shifted. Rather than referring to a singular star, the the word idol usually refers to a young woman or man who has been accepted as a member of a production group full of other young women and men. They can sing a little bit and dance a little bit, but they generally don’t do either well enough to become a star on their own.
Getting accepted to join an idol group fits roughly into a category of formative experience known as seishun. Seishun is usually reserved for junior high and high school kids (both boys and girls). Seishun – which also refers to the mid to late teen years – connotes purity. Adults reminisce about the innocence of their seishun memories.
During seishun, teens get to have meaningful experiences pursuing big dreams (usually) together with peers. Seishun dreams might be winning a championship as part of a club for a sport, dancing, theatre, etc. Or it might be starting a band, joining a purpose-driven social movement or even having a first crush or romance.
The point is not success so much as the personal (and usually) collective experience of the pursuit of something that feels important. Teens get to experience the joys and tears of pursuing a dream (with peers) before heading off to college or their first job.
Seishun experiences can look a bit naive or even farcical from an adult perspective. Japanese adults and Japanophiles often poke fun at teens who are having their seishun experience.
Still, many adults seem to yearn to have something like an adult seishun. Those who had a genuine seishun in high school miss the experience. Those who never had a seishun may laugh at high school kids “pursuing their dreams”, but I suspect on some level that this dismissal comes from a feeling that they missed out on a great experience that many of their peers enjoyed.
The seishun experience can be a huge well of untapped potential. In my work with organizations in Japan, I’ve found that many of my clients are quite open to experiences that help them find meaning in their work. They are looking for a story that helps them see the daily grind as one way they can contribute to a goal that feels purposeful.
Maybe they’re looking for their own “otona no seishun.”
Maybe I’m looking for mine too:)
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Agency (主体性) + Purpose (志) + Growth (成長) + Connection (繋がり) + Contribution (貢献) = Meaning (意義)
© Dana Cogan, 2025, all rights reserved.