Cheung Yuk Man. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-137). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Acknowledgements --- p.iii / List of Figures and Note --- p.iv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Overview / Literature Review / Methodology / Chapter Chapter 2 --- "Background study: Meanings of life, work, and railway hobby in Japan" --- p.25 / Introduction / Meanings of life in Japan: Past and present / The possibility of finding an authentic ikigai: Hobby in Japan / General background of railway hobby and hobbyists in Japan / Conclusion: Justifying railway hobby as a legitimate ikigai / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Making sense of self: Relationship between work and hobby among different salaried men --- p.44 / Introduction / The loss of vocation: The impossibility to find an ideal job for railway hobbyists / The burden of prestige: Elite salarymen who must always focus on their work / Seeking a place for self: Different ways to maintain identity as hobbyists / Working alone: An ideal workplace for hobbyists? / Conclusion: Towards a common mentality of railway hobbyists / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Hobby as ikigai outside and inside of company --- p.65 / Introduction / Dealing with institutional rules: Crafting one's own time without violating rules / Power via peer support: Getting accepted among colleagues and superiors / Finding a place of self and for ikigai in everyday life / "Conclusion: Asserting a space for self in a ""groupist"" world of work" / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Negotiating ikigai as hobby within the family --- p.90 / Introduction / Difficulties and possibilities for hobbyists to find partners / Negotiating between wife and trains: From ideals to realities / Problems and issues in family life: From unification to separation / Conclusion: Searching for a self beyond the private sphere of family / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.111 / A lifelong journey for the hobby / Meanings of hobby among hobbyists / A possible trend in the future: Enjoying oneself alone / Appendix --- p.122 / Bibliography --- p.124