b o o k
o n e
1
A samurai must devote his heart firmly to bushidō Although it is nothing unusual to say that a samurai must devote himself to bushidō, it seems that everyone is negligent in this matter. The reason I say this is that if one asks, “What is the fundamental meaning of bushidō?”, very few people can answer immediately. This is because they have not formed a clear conviction in their hearts over a long period of time. From this one can see that they have not firmly committed their hearts to bushidō. There is no greater negligence than this.
2
Become as one who is permanently dead I have found that bushidō means to die. It means that when one has to choose between life and death, one just quickly chooses the side of death. There is nothing else to consider. One simply makes up one’s mind and pushes ahead. The idea that if one fails to achieve one’s objective one dies a “dog’s death”, and similar conceptions, is nothing but the slick bushidō of the city samurai from Kyoto and Osaka.1 When one has to choose between life and death, there is no time to worry about whether one’s objective is achieved. All of us prefer to live, so we can always find reasons for staying alive.
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If one lives though one intended to die, it is cowardice. It is a
4
perilous line that divides the two. If one dies when one intended to live, then it might be regarded as death in vain or craziness, but one
Think selflessly and one will be unlikely to make serious mistakes
will not incur any shame. This is to be a real man of bushidō. If every
There are people who are born with the ability to come up with wise
morning and every evening one dies anew, one will become as one
ideas immediately. There are also those who come up with good
who is permanently dead. Thus will one obtain a realm of freedom
proposals after wracking their brains. If we look to the bottom of it
in bushidō, and be able to fulfil one’s duty to the house for one’s
all, even though there are people who are born rather dull, anyone
whole life without falling into error.
who fixes his aim firmly with the power of our four vows and thinks without self will find an inexplicable wisdom coming forth. . . . For ordinary people it is not an easy thing to get rid of the self.
3
Nevertheless, in the midst of affairs, if before jumping in one first
Throw one’s body and mind into solicitude for one’s lord
sets the four vows firmly in one’s mind and thinks selflessly, one will
A man of service is a person who single-mindedly cares
not be likely to make any serious mistakes.
for and cherishes his lord. A person who does so will be a superb retainer.
5
. . . Having been born in a house held in high repute for many generations, it means to hold the deepest gratitude for the
The wisdom of just one person is like a tree with no roots
kindness one has received from many generations of ancestors, and
Because one takes on all manner of tasks with just one’s own small
to throw one’s body and mind single-heartedly into solicitude for
portion of wisdom, everything becomes self-centred, contrary to the
one’s lord. Above this, if one has some wisdom or artistic skill that is
Way of Heaven, leading to evil actions. Viewed from the side that
of use in one’s service, that is even more fortunate.
sort of wisdom is dirty, weak, narrow-minded, and inflexible. When
But even a clumsy and useless fellow who cannot do anything well,
one finds oneself at a loss for real wisdom, it is a good
if he but has the resolution to cherish his lord single-mindedly, is a
idea to discuss the matter with someone else. Because the other
retainer who can be totally relied on.
person is an uninvolved third party and can consider the matter
One who makes himself useful only through his wisdom or skills is
objectively without self-centred bias, the conclusions you reach
of an inferior grade.
will accord with the correct way. Viewed from the side, it will seem
44
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firmly rooted and reliable. It will be like a great tree which has grown many roots. The wisdom of just one person is like a tree stuck into the ground with no roots.
6
Borrow from the wisdom of the past The reason we hear and remember the golden sayings and great deeds of people of the past is also so that we can conform ourselves to their wisdom. It is to prevent the rise of the self-centred mind. If we discard wilful thoughts, rely on the wise sayings of the past, and consult with others, there should not be any mistakes or evil actions. Lord Katsushige always borrowed from the wisdom of Lord Naoshige. This is recorded in the book Ohanashi kikigaki. It must be said that this is a very fine attitude of mind.
9
Loyalty is not a distant matter, but in front of our eyes Retainers who, as champions of their lord, leave judgments of good and evil completely in their lord’s hands and discard their selves are single-minded retainers. If there are even just two or three such samurai, the lord’s house will flourish. If one looks at the world for a long time, however, one finds that there are a lot of fellows who, when things are going smoothly, make themselves useful through their sagacity, discrimination, or artistic talents, running around and
46
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doing their best to look like loyal retainers. Yet when their lord goes
10
into retirement or passes away, they immediately turn their backs on him. I have seen many who dance attendance on those who seem
People’s hearts cannot be relied upon
to represent the direction from which the new sun will rise in the
When a lord died, the articles that he used when he was alive
sky, bending over backwards to get into their favour. Just to think
were treated as items for disposal by auction, and everyone fought
of it makes me wince with disgust. Those with high stipends or low,
over them. From this it should be clear that people’s hearts are
those with deep intelligence, and those who are proficient in an art,
something that cannot be relied upon. To take the things which
at first come forward on their own initiative to make themselves
the lord treasured and loved, store them away in many layers of
useful, but if they find themselves in a situation where they have
bags and boxes, stick a price on them, and then compete over
to throw away their life for their lord, their courage immediately
them – to take things which contain part of the soul of our lord
collapses and they achieve nothing commendable at all.
and use them as one pleases in one’s own home – is to commit the
The reason that some samurai who are thought to be absolutely
highest irreverence. Even if one does not incur divine punishment,
useless in ordinary times can suddenly at such times become strong
such insouciance is beyond my comprehension. Service that goes
enough to take on a thousand men is because they have long since
no further than the tip of one’s nose is devoid of the sentiment of
discarded their own life and identified themselves totally with their
gratitude and honour (giri) between lord and retainer.
lord. There is a good example of this from the time when Lord Mitsushige passed away. The one person who thought to keep him
11
company was myself. Afterward a few others appeared to learn from my example, but they were always men of high status families
Lack of discretion is a moral corruption
who talked big, squared their elbows, and put on airs of great
Yamazaki Kurando refused for his whole life to take things that
self-importance. When the lord breathed his last, they just turned
were named as items for disposal. . . . This truly represents the
their backs on him and did nothing. When we speak of the pledge
discretion proper to a man of service (hōkōnin). . . . But as soon
between lord and retainer or the importance of loyalty (gi), they seem
as retainers today hear there are such articles up for grabs,
like distant matters, but at that time I realized they are right in front
they fall over each other to get hold of them . . . This is a serious
of our eyes. If one can make up one’s mind this very moment, then a
moral corruption, and it is a long way from the original purpose
retainer of the highest quality will immediately appear.
of the samurai.
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Be ready to throw away your own life
12
The skilled way to administer true admonition
Before Lord Mitsushige died [in Genroku 13, or 1701], I was
Admonishing others to help them reform their defects is important.
staying in the Kyoto area, but for some reason I felt that I wanted to
It accords with the heart of great compassion, and it is the first point
return to Saga domain. So I asked Kawamura Gonpei, a retainer of
in the life of service. But in the matter of admonishing or giving
the Sanjō West house, to appoint me as messenger, and I returned,
advice to others, one must take great pains. It is easy to find good
travelling day and night. I barely managed to arrive before Lord
and bad points in other people, and it is not difficult to speak about
Mitsushige passed away. I think this was truly a strange stroke of
these to the person concerned. The majority of people think lightly
destiny. For at this time it was still not known in the Kyoto area
about saying things that people do not like to hear and things that
that the lord’s condition had become critical. Ever since my youth,
are difficult to say. Even if they do mention them, if their advice or
I thought that my single-minded determination that “I will be the
admonition is not accepted, they just think that there is nothing
best retainer of them all!” must be a portent from the buddhas and
they can do about it. But this sort of admonition is absolutely
the gods. Although I had not done any particularly outstanding act
useless. It just brings shame upon the other person, like saying
of service and had no particular virtues, at the time of
unkind things about him behind his back. It shows that one has
my lord’s death I thought that – as I had long resolved in my mind
only spoken up in order to clear one’s own breast.
– I must do something on my own that would bring honour to my
If one truly wants to admonish someone, one must first distinguish
lord and incur no shame in the eyes of the world. It is a lonely thing
very carefully whether the person is ready to accept the advice or
for a daimyō to die without even one person to accompany him.
not, and make sure that one is on sufficiently intimate terms with
But at that point I understood: it is because there is no one who will
the person and has won the person’s trust over a period of time.
throw away his own life. If someone would just be ready to throw
Then one must approach the matter from an angle that the
away his life, that would be enough. There are many despicable
person likes to talk about, and carefully think out one’s manner of
people who have no pride, have no courage, are full of avarice,
speaking in advance. One must also be careful about choosing the
and think only of their own interest. For many years I
occasion for giving the admonition, such as in writing a letter or
have felt disgusted about this, and nothing has cleared it
asking for leave. One can first begin by speaking about one’s own
from my mind.
errors or faults, and plan the conversation so that the person will
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recall the matter you wish to raise without you bringing it up. Or one can begin by praising something that the person has done and thus try to put the person in a good mood. In this way the person can be induced to accept one’s advice as if he were drinking water to quench his own thirst. This is the true type of admonition that can induce people to really endeavour to correct their faults. . . When a number of colleagues have established a close relationship over time and are able to correct each other’s faults, they can unite their minds to work together in one body in the service of their lord. This is the true service, the true mind of Great Compassion. On the other hand, when one humiliates people with untactful criticism, how is it possible for them to correct their faults?
17
Appearances matter It is bad manners to yawn in public. When you find yourself yawning involuntarily, if you rub your forehead with your hand it should stop. Or else you can lick your lips without opening your mouth. If you do yawn, should conceal it from sight by covering your mouth with the inside of your sleeve or with your hand. It is the same with sneezing. It makes one look so ridiculous. In other matters that affect one’s appearance as well, one should be careful and not allow oneself to be at all slovenly or unkempt.
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Prepare down to the last detail
18
Anticipation is the key to successful action
[Lord Tsunetomo] thought in the evening about each matter that he
The difference between a samurai who is always in a state of
21
had to take care of the next day. . . . When he had made a promise
readiness and one who is not is explained in the books on military
to go somewhere, on the evening before setting out he would find
studies. The samurai who is always in a state of readiness is not
out everything he could about the other party that he was going to
simply one who, when he encounters any situation, grasps the
meet with, and he would think carefully about every aspect of the
situation and knows how to deal with it skilfully on the basis of his
meeting, from the words he would use in greeting, to the season and
experience. Rather it is a matter of considering carefully the way one
circumstances affecting the way he should speak to the other party. . .
should handle all kinds of situations before they actually occur, so
That is the way of harmony (wa), the way of courtesy and etiquette.
that when one does encounter a particular situation, one will be able to carry through the plan of action that one has thought out. Thus a samurai who has thought everything out and set his heart with
19
determination is what we call a samurai who is always prepared.
To carry our four vows to their highest culmination, one should
when he meets a certain situation, even if he is able to deal with
think as follows: “I will not to allow myself to fall behind others
it satisfactorily, thinks that this is just a matter of good luck. The
in bushidō” means to be resolved (kakugo) to make one’s martial
samurai who does not look into things and affairs in advance is what
valour manifest in the world. (I have written in detail about this in
is meant by the unprepared samurai.
The four vows of the house
The samurai who is not in a state of preparedness is one who,
Gukenshū. ) “I will be of use to my lord” means to become a chief 2
retainer (karō) of the domain in order to be able to remonstrate with
23
one’s lord and assure that one’s domain is well governed. (This is discussed in detail in Gukenshū.) To be filial towards one’s parents
Drinking requires proper care and caution
is ancillary to loyalty, and the two are really the same thing. “I will
One must be strict when it comes to drinking parties. If one looks
make myself of use to other people” means to work to build up
carefully, one will see that the great majority of those present are
other people so they will all become of use to their lord.
doing nothing but drinking. But drinking is only the real thing when
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the closing is handled with grace. If one does not take proper care in that regard one will look low-minded and vulgar. Generally speaking, a person’s innermost thoughts and true character can be seen at such times. At any rate, it is a matter pertaining to the public realm, and one must give proper thought to the nature of the occasion.
24
When the water is clear there are no fish A certain person told me that these days he has been exerting himself to be strictly frugal and economical in all things, down to the smallest detail. But I think this is not a good thing. There is a saying that “Where the water is absolutely clear there are no fish”.3 Just because there are algae and other plants in the water, the fish can hide behind them and grow. When a person overlooks certain things that he sees and hears, his subordinates below him can feel secure. In one’s conduct and daily life as well one should have this sort of attitude.
25
Civility is the etiquette of the samurai Once in the domainal government office, a man said to a certain town official that he wished to hand in a petition. The official insisted that he would not accept it, and the exchange developed into an excited altercation. Another fellow who happened to be there spoke up and said, “Would it not be best first to accept the
56
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petition, and then if you think that it is not reasonable, return it to
either looking for what they can gain for themselves, or they try to
the petitioner?” The official accepted the advice . . . . Someone who
appear clever. If they appear to have a certain composure of soul,
had observed the exchange then said contemptuously, “Since when
it is only to assume a posture. If a person does not offer himself to
can one handle a matter by simply refusing to accept something
his lord, being always ready promptly to give his life and become
that it is one’s duty to receive?” I thought that that kind of bad habit
a ghost, thinking of his lord’s affairs all the day long, fulfilling
had long since been corrected, but the official prickliness has still
his duties without remiss, and keeping his eye on the goal of
not been smoothed out. As a rule, even when one is dealing with a
strengthening and defending his domain, then he is not worthy of
person with whom one feels no sense of constraint, to treat people
the name of retainer. In this attitude of mind there is no distinction
who come to one’s office with civility and courtesy is the etiquette of
of high and low status. One must resolve to commit oneself firmly
a samurai. To embarrass and shame a person as in this case is a dirty
to this, not wavering even if called away by the buddhas and gods.
way of acting, and it is unworthy of the decorum of a samurai.
36
If there aren’t a lot of people listening it’s hard to read
30
I have heard that the late Matsuguma Kyōan said: “In the way of
While he was reading a storybook before Abbot Kaion, the young
medicine, male and female are assigned to yin and yang, and there
lord said, “All of you young boys and young monks, come over here
is a corresponding difference in treatment. Even the pulse differs
and listen! If there aren’t a lot of people listening it’s hard to read”.
between men and women. Nevertheless, during the past fifty years,
The abbot was moved, and said to the young monks:
the pulse of men has become the same as that of women. Since I
“In everything you do, do it with that sort of spirit!”
noticed this, I believe that in treating eye illnesses it is appropriate to
Manliness is in decline
use the woman’s treatment to treat a man’s eyes. . . . It appears that now the world has entered the latter days and the vital force of men
35
has gone into decline, becoming just like that of women. Since
To look at retainers nowadays, it seems that their sights are set very
experience, I have kept it a secret.”
low. They have the eyes of a pickpocket. In most cases, they are
Regarding this, in observing men in recent years, I have seen many
58
Commit, then never waver
this is something that I have apprehended through my own
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who seem truly to be of a feminine pulse, and those who appear to
time, I abandoned the world with the resolution to be as a man
be indisputably male are rare. Nowadays, accordingly, if one exerts
who had died. If I think of this now, if I had continued serving
oneself just a bit, it is easy to pull ahead of others. Moreover, as
until recently, I would indeed have endured a great deal of hardship.
evidence of the lack of courage in today’s men, among men who
To have been able to spend the last fourteen years in comfort is an
have been executed by beheading, there are few cases where the
incredible good fortune. Moreover, people have regarded me as a
head has actually been cut off, and even worse, kaishaku who find
person of some account and I have been treated with courtesy and
excuses to avoid doing their job are thought of as clever, or as men
respect. If I look carefully at my heart, I think I have succeeded
with a cultivated spirit. This is the sort of age we live in! As another
pretty well in changing my identity. But I am not worthy of the
example, the game of running a sword between another man’s
courtesy that people have extended to me, and I can only think that
thighs to test his courage was felt forty or fifty years ago to be a test
some day I will have to pay a price for this.
4
of manhood that every man had to go through, and because it was considered shameful to show one’s thighs if they had no scars, young
38
men would make scars on their thighs by themselves. All tasks that were called men’s work were bloody jobs. But in our
To be discriminating is to make oneself better than others
present age those who engage in such jobs are called fools. People
There was a fellow who, when accompanying his lord out to
save appearances by their skilful use of words, but manage to avoid
celebrate the New Year, said, “This time I am going with my mind
any kind of work that is even slightly demanding. This is something
made up. First, because we will surely be feted with sake without
that I hope the young people of today will reflect upon.
end, I am planning to lay off drinking altogether. Yet if I say right from the start that I have given up drinking, people may think that I have a drinking problem. So I will say that I am allergic to alcohol
I am not worthy
37
force any more sake on me. In addition, I will be courteous to the
Although there are those who serve as retainers until they are sixty
point that my waist gets sore from bowing, and when no one talks
or seventy years old, I became a monk at the age of forty-two.
to me I intend to also say nothing myself ”. This is a man of good
To think about it, this was a short time to spend in the world.
character! To be discriminating regarding things that have not yet
However, it is also something for which I am very grateful. At that
happened is the basis of making oneself better than others.
60
and I will discard two or three cups. Then people will not likely
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39
44
What we mean by “no-thought is right thought”
There is a Way beyond rectitude and it is the highest wisdom
In the story of Master Tannen he says, “Since I only teach
It is a difficult thing to despise unrighteousness (fugi) and hold to
5
no-thought and no-mind, it is not sufficiently clear to win
rectitude (gi). Nevertheless, to think that rectitude is supreme and
people’s assent. What we mean by no-thought is right thought.”
devote oneself exclusively to rectitude is actually quite mistaken.
This is a splendid thing for him to have said. Lord Sanenori also
There is a Way above and beyond rectitude. It is a difficult thing to
said, “The place where in one breath nothing perverse is included is
find it, but for those who do, it is the highest wisdom. When one
itself the Tao.” Thus the principle is one. There is no one who finds
looks from this higher point of view, rectitude is something small.
this light all at once. It does not come without long-accumulated
Except for the times when I become aware of it in my self, it cannot
practice and exertion.
be known. However, even when one is not able to find it on one’s
6
own, there is a way to achieve this Way. It is through talking to others. Even a person who has not mastered the Way can see another
40
person’s affairs quite clearly as an uninvolved bystander. It is like the saying in the game of go that “the bystander sees the best of the
If one asks of one’s heart, how will it reply? There is nothing quite as precious as the second line of a certain
game”. To “become aware of one’s own wrongs in every thought”
tanka which goes, “If one asks of one’s heart, how will it reply?”
is also best achieved through talking with other people. The reason
Perhaps one should repeat this always in one’s mind like the
we listen to what other people say and read books is also to learn to
nembutsu. First, it is often heard on the lips of people. Those in
discard our own judgments and internalize the judgments of people
recent times who are said to be clever do nothing but use their
of former times.
7
8
wisdom to adorn appearances and deceive people. Thus they are worse than the dull-witted. At least the dull-witted are straight.
45
If one looks thoroughly into one’s heart as the poem suggests,
64
there will be no more hidden places. One can be one’s own best
There is always room for improvement
interrogator. I would like to have a heart that has nothing to be
An elderly swordsman said, “One’s whole life of practice follows
ashamed about when it meets that interrogator!
a certain order. The lowest grade is where, although one practices,
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one does not really achieve anything and thinks that both oneself
matters should be done lightly”.9 In Ishida Ittei’s commentary, he
and others are clumsy and unskilled. In this condition one cannot
writes, “Deliberation on small matters should be done heavily”.
be of any use. The middle grade is where, although one is still of
Problems that are really “great matters” are not likely more than
no use, one is aware of one’s insufficiencies, and also able to see
two or three. Thus I think he means to deliberate about things
the insufficiencies of others. The upper grade is where one has
well in advance, and when the matter is important to brace oneself
thoroughly understood with regard to one’s own practice and
and prepare promptly to act, keeping things light and simple. It
takes pride in one’s proficiency, enjoying the praise of others and
is no good if one is not prepared ahead of time and lightly makes
lamenting the lack of proficiency in others. At this stage one will
judgments in the midst of the situation, as it will be very difficult
be of use. The next higher grade is where one appears as if one
to act in the most appropriate way. Accordingly, I believe that to
doesn’t know, and sees others also as proficient. This is the highest
lay down one’s foundation in advance is the basis of his dictum that
stage that most people reach. But there is an even higher level that
“deliberation on great matters should be done lightly”.
surpasses that. If one enters deeply into this higher way, one finally finds that it is something without end, so one no longer thinks that
47
one has mastered the art. Since one now sees clearly that one still has insufficiencies, one is no longer satisfied regarding one’s lifetime
Never lose sight of your own faults
accomplishments. One does not feel vain, nor does one feel self-
Master Kōnan of Sōryūji temple, when he was talking with his
abasing. I understand that Lord Yagyū Tajimanokami Munenori
study companions, including Lord Mimasaka and Ishida Ittei,
said, ‘I do not know the way to win over other people; I only know
said, “Each of you has become quite impressive as a little fount of
the way to win over myself ’. Today my skill is better than yesterday,
knowledge. However, it seems that you are even less acquainted
and tomorrow it will be better than today, and I will continue to
with the Way than an ordinary person”. Ittei objected, “There is no
improve for my whole life. This is also what is called having no end.”
other Way than the Way of the sages and worthies (which one learns about through studying Chinese books)”. Master Kōnan anwered, “The erudite person’s distance from the Way is like a person who
46
is supposed to go east but goes west instead. The more knowledge
Deliberation on great matters should be done lightly
one has the farther one gets from the Way. This is because one reads
On the wall plaque of Lord Naoshige it says, “Deliberation on great
in books about the words and deeds of the sages and worthies of
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China, and one hears about them in people’s speech. Thus one’s views and opinions become elevated, and one thinks one wants to become like them. One comes to regard ordinary people as insects. This is what it is to be distant from the Way. The “Way” means nothing other than to be aware of one’s own faults. To be aware of one’s faults from moment to moment and to work at this for one’s whole life is what is called the “Way”. The reason we read the Chinese character for “sage” as hijiri is because the sage is one who knows his faults.10 The Buddha taught that through the four characters “know one’s fault and immediately discard it” a person can consummate the practice of the Way. If one uses the mind to watch the mind, one will find that in the space of one day the number of times the evil mind arises is beyond count. There is no basis for thinking that ‘I am good’.” These words were the occasion for Ittei to achieve the Way. However, it is a different logic in the world of the martial arts. If you do not think with great arrogance that you are a samurai unequalled in all of Japan, it is very difficult to manifest martial courage. There are also different grades of the way one holds one’s energy (ki) in the manifestation of martial courage.
49
Remain obstinate in staying true to your roots A certain man worked for several years in Osaka. When at last he returned to Saga and presented himself at the main domainal
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government office, because he used Kyoto–Osaka words in his
to control himself and make himself useful. It is fitting that he
speech, everyone found him a killjoy and he became the laughing-
be promoted.” Thereupon, another person asked, “Will you take
stock of the domain. Reflecting on this I think that if one is
responsibility for him?” The man answered, “Certainly, I will act as
stationed in Edo or Osaka for a long period of time, one should
the fellow’s guarantor.” At that time everyone said, “On what basis
speak one’s home dialect even more than usual. One naturally
will you act as his guarantor?” “Because he is a guy who made one
becomes steeped in the style of Kyoto–Osaka or Edo, looking
mistake. A person who has never made a mistake is dangerous.”
down on the customs of one’s native place as boorish, to the point
So the man received his promotion.
that if there is something that is even a little bit reasonable in the capital, one raves about it enviously. This sort of thing shows a total
55
lack of discrimination, and it is really quite idiodic. Actually the fact that one’s native place is rustic and lacking in sophistication is
Do not delay revenge
the greatest treasure. To imitate the ways of other places is to be a
A certain man was regarded as shameful because he took no revenge
phoney. Someone said to Master Shungaku,11 “The Lotus sect is too
after a fight. When you do take revenge, you should just charge
obstinate, and it is not a good thing.” Whereupon he replied, “It is
ahead at full tilt until you are cut down. If you do so you will not
just because of its obstinacy that it is the Lotus sect. If it were not so,
incur any shame. When you are thinking that you must win against
wouldn’t it be just the same as the other sects?” Well said.
your opponent, you will fall behind. When you think about things like how numerous the enemy is, time will be wasted, and it will end in a discussion about why you should give the whole thing up. Even
A person who has never made a mistake is dangerous
50
them down one by one and charge forward. That way you will also
When a certain man was being evaluated for promotion, the
discharge your intention of revenge. With such a state of mind, you
collective opinion was that he should not be promoted because
will usually triumph. Now when Lord Asano (leader of the forty-
he had previously gotten into trouble for excessive drinking. Then
seven rōnin) led his night attack on the mansion of Lord Kira, it was
a person who was present said: “To abandon a person because of
a mistake for him not to commit seppuku immediately at Sengakuji
one mistake is not the way to cultivate talent. A person who has
temple.12 He also delayed for a very long time in taking his revenge
made one mistake will regret his mistake and make an extra effort
for his lord’s death. If in the meantime Lord Kira had died of illness,
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if the enemy numbers thousands, you make up your mind to cut
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it would have been a matter of the deepest regret. The people of
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Osaka and Kyoto are very clever, so they are very good at getting themselves praised by the world. But they are incapable of doing
Be single minded
something as rash and imprudent as the Nagasaki kenka.
It is a bad thing for things to become two. One should set one’s
13
The revenge of the Soga brothers, as well, was also carried out after a
mind singly on bushidō and not seek other things. The character dō
long delay. It was very unfortunate that Jūrō Sukenari was defeated
(way) is the same in all cases. However, to listen to Confucian and
. . . Yet Gorō’s manner of speaking at the time was superb. In most
Buddhist teachings and to think that they are something different
circumstances, this sort of criticism should not be made, but since
from bushidō is to miss the Way. If one has this understanding,
this is also good material for thinking about bushidō, I will speak of
then one will be able to hear the various ways and get closer and
it. If one does not think about the matter well in advance, one will
closer to the Way.
14
make the wrong judgment in an emergency, and in most cases that will lead to one incurring shame. We listen to what people say and read practical advice books precisely to learn how to be prepared for things in advance. Particularly in the practice of bushidō, one should always be prepared for something unexpected to happen at any moment, and always be training one’s thoughts day and night through careful and systematic reflection on particular situations that may arise. It is in the turns of time that our victory or defeat is decided. Acting in such a way that we avoid shame is another thing. If we have made the resolution to die it is no problem. Even if we are defeated, it is just a matter of taking our revenge right away. In doing that, we don’t need any special wisdom or skill. Those who are called strong do not think about things like victory or defeat. Without caring about appearances, they just single-mindedly push forward into death. And right in the midst of this their true self comes back to life.
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