#Japan #Tokyo #MIMIGURI #Creative Self #Handbook

MIMIGURI Announces the Publication of 'The Creative Self'

Today marks the release announcement of the highly regarded academic work, "The Creative Self: Effect of Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, Mindset, and Identity," translated by MIMIGURI, a Tokyo-based firm dedicated to advancing creativity in organizations. Scheduled for publication on April 8, 2026, by Nakanishiya Publishing, this book is set to serve as a cornerstone for understanding how individual creative potential leads to actual achievements.

Understanding the Creative Self and Its Significance

Originally published in 2017 and edited by Maciej Karwowski and James C. Kaufman, the original book established critical discussions around the concept of creative self-beliefs. Within the last decade, it has become a focal point in contemporary creativity research. The book explores how one's creative efficacy can significantly impact their achievements by linking individual potential with proactive decision-making, using the 'CBAA model (Creative Behavior as Agentic Action)' as its primary framework.

Key components discussed in the book include:
1. Creative Self-Efficacy: The confidence in one's ability to produce creative outcomes in specific tasks.
2. Creative Personal Identity: The recognition of creativity as an integral part of one's worldview.
3. Creative Mindsets: The belief that creativity can be cultivated versus the notion that it is an inherent trait.

Why MIMIGURI Took on the Translation Project

MIMIGURI emphasizes the necessity of fostering a creative self within organizations, as traditional 20th-century management practices often suppress creativity through rigid frameworks focused on efficiency and control. By shifting management approaches toward a curiosity-driven “adventurous worldview,” companies can rejuvenate innovation. The book's exploration of creative self-beliefs is crucial for this transformation in the modern corporate landscape.

Recognized as both a management consulting firm and a Ministry of Education-certified research institution, MIMIGURI has developed the 'Creative Cultivation Model (CCM)' to guide firms in Japan towards implementing cutting-edge theoretical insights in practice. Through this publication, MIMIGURI aims to shift the perception of individuals from 'objects to control and optimize' to 'entities to nurture and inspire creativity.'

The Team Behind the Translation

The project to translate and adapt the book enlisted leading researchers in the field of creativity studies. Notable contributors include Chiaki Ishiguro, an associate professor at The University of Tokyo, as well as diverse academics excelling in cognitive science and educational psychology. Takashi Okada, a prominent figure in creativity research, wrote the preface, while MIMIGURI’s Co-CEO, Yuki Anzai, penned the afterword. This collaborative effort underscores Japan's commitment to advancing the understanding of creativity through rigorous academic discourse.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming handbook, rooted in various methodologies, including quantitative research and interviews with artists, aims to uncover how beliefs and perceptions about creativity can unlock one's potential. It serves as a vital resource for researchers and practitioners aimed at enriching the creative capacities in educational settings and organizational environments. The publication of this handbook represents a significant step toward recognizing and nurturing creativity in everyday contexts.

Book Information

• - Title: "The Creative Self: Effect of Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, Mindset, and Identity"
• - Editors: Maciej Karwowski, James C. Kaufman
• - Supervising Editor: Chiaki Ishiguro
• - Foreword: Takashi Okada
• - Afterword: Yuki Anzai
• - Publisher: Nakanishiya Publishing
• - Release Date: April 8, 2026
• - Price: ¥4,950 (tax included)

MIMIGURI plans to further extend these insights into everyday business practices through their media platform, CULTIBASE, where additional resources and discussions around fostering creativity will be made available. This publication aims to help individuals and organizations recognize the role of creative beliefs in actualizing their potential, thereby reforming the conventional management approaches and fostering a more innovative future.