Ideals of the Samurai

8/17/2019 Ideals of the Samurai

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IDEALS OF

THE SAMURAIWRITINGS OF JAPANESE WARRIORS

Translation and Introduction by

William Scott Wilson

Editor: Gr!ory N" L

Gra#$ic Dsi!nr: %arn &assad

Cover

'alli!ra#$y: J" (rms

P$oto!ra#$y: 'linton 'l)land

Second Printing 1982


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T$ translator and ditor *ould li+ to ,#rss t$ir t$an+s to t$ -ollo*in! -or t$ir +ind #rmission to r#rint t$ samurai #ortraits *$ic$ a##ar in t$is )olum:

T$ #ortrait o- Asa+ura Tos$i+a! on #a! ./ and t$ #ortrait o- 0o1o Soun on #a! 22ori!inally a##ard in Nihon no Shozo 3d" National &usum o- %yoto4 5/2678 courtsy o-

'$uo+oron9s$a4 Inc"4 #ublis$rs"

T$ #ortrait o- Nabs$ima Naos$i! on #a! 55. ori!inally a##ard in Dai Nihon Shiryo 3d"To+yo Dai!a+u S$iryo 0nsan1o78 t$ #ortraits o- %uroda Na!amasa on #a! 56 and %ato

%iyomasa on #a! 55 ori!inally a##ard in Shozo senshu 3d" Ni$on R+is$i Ga++ai4 5/.;78

courtsy o-


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Translation and Introduction by

William Scott Wilson

William Scott Wilson *as born in Nas$)ill4 Tnnss4 in 5/==4 and !r* u# in Florida"

0 is -lunt in modrn Ja#ans and $as radin! +no*ld! o- bot$ classical Ja#ans and'$ins" 0 currntly $olds a mastr?s d!r in Ja#ans lan!ua! and litratur -rom t$

ni)rsity o- Was$in!ton in Sattl"

Wilson?s intrst in Ja#ans cultur *as s#ar+d on a +aya+in! ,#dition alon! t$

Ja#ans coast durin! 5/.. as #art o- an assi!nmnt -or National Go!ra#$ic" 0 rturnd a yar latr to li) bri-ly in Ja#an4 but bcam con)incd t$at a t$orou!$ undrstandin! o- its #o#l

and cultur could only b raliBd by mastrin! t$ lan!ua!" 0 *nt to t$ &ontry Institut

o- Fori!n Studios in 'ali-ornia4 disco)rin! t$ ins#arabl as#ct o- Ja#an?s *arrior tradition*it$in its cultural #rsonality" Wilson also studid a '$ins styl o- +un! -u"

Wilson rturnd to Ja#an -or som intnsi) rsarc$ at Aic$i Pr-ctural ni)rsity in

Na!oya -rom 5/2C9224 translatin! t$ *or+s o-


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PREFACE

$n the s%ring o# 1&92' the #orces o# the once(%o)er#u* "akeda c*an had +een near*y

destroyed, -utnum+ered +y the enemy near*y ten to one' the *ast #euda* *ord o# the c*an #*ed the

%rovincia* ca%ita* to .t, "enmoku' )here he )as ca%tured and ki**ed' his once match*ess troo%sin #u** retreat, "suchiya Sozo' a )arrior )ho had +een in dis#avor #or a num+er o# years' came

out a*one' ho)ever' reso*ved to sho) his sincerity, /ith the remark' 0$ )onder )here a** the men

are )ho s%oke so +rave*y every day he )a*ked out onto the +att*e#ie*d to die a*one in com+at,

$n the *ate #a** o# 1933' a young *ieutenant in the 4a%anese navy named "eshi aruo )as

stationed on a sma** is*and in the Paci#ic, -ne morning in the ear*y hours his %ost received )ord

+y radio that a huge 5merican nava* #orce )as on its )ay through to the Phi*i%%ines' destroying

a** 4a%anese out%osts en route, 6sca%e #or the *ieutenant and his men )as not e7%ressed as a %ossi+i*ity, 5s t, "eshi sat *istening to the ear*y morning rain' his #irst thoughts )ere a+out his

uni#orm! /as it c*ean ad he sincere*y sho)n himse*# ready to die

T$ t$rad o- t$ou!$t t$at lin+s mn li+ Tsuc$iya SoBo and Lt" Ts$i 0aruo is a lon!on4 ,tndin! to *ll b-or t$ 5.t$ cntury4 and -or*ard today as on o- t$ s#iritual

-oundations o- t$ Ja#ans #o#l4 and consuntly o- t$ modrn martial arts" It is im#ortant

to us4 not only -or undrstandin! on as#ct o- Ja#ans $istory and cultur4 but also -or

#ro)idin! a mor solid basis -or our o*n acti)ityor inacti)ity*it$ t$os around us"D)lo#d by a class t$at *as to rul Ja#an -or narly 6 yars4 and intr#ntratin! Ja#ans

li- in so many *ays4 t$ samurai s#irit is an a##roac$ to bin! in t$ *orld t$at dsr)s our

attntion4 r!ardlss o- *$at our o*n #articular -ocus o- intrst may b"

W$o *as t$ *arrior and *$at *r $is )alus T$r ar many sourcs to *$ic$ onmay turn: $istoris4 no)ls4 or )n #lays and mo)is" (ut t$s ar4 ssntially4 t$ )i*s o-

outsidrs and4 alt$ou!$ )alid in t$ir o*n ri!$t4 do not com -rom t$ sourc itsl-" In t$ nint$

boo+ o- t$ 0a!a+ur4 an arly 56t$9cntury tratis on t$ *arrior s#irit4 t$is story is !i)n:"he Buddhist %riest' yozan' )rote do)n some genera*ities concerning

ord "akano+u:s +att*es, 5 certain %riest sa) this and criticized him saying' 0$t is

ina%%ro%riate #or a %riest to )rite a+out a mi*itary commander, No matter ho)

success#u* his )riting sty*e may +e' since he is not ac;uainted )ith mi*itarya##airs' he is *ia+*e to +e mistaken in understanding a great genera*:s mind, $t is

irreverent to %ass on misconce%tions concerning a #amous genera* to *atter

generations,


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concrnin! t$ t,ts -or *$ic$ I rarly smd to $a) t$ #ro#r ans*rs" I am !rat-ul to A+ira

Ta+da4 Stilly Rutld! and 'olln O?Hora *$o also !a) -rly o- t$ir tim and --ort in t$

#ro!rss o- t$ manuscri#t" Finally4 a )ry s#cial t$an+s to &arilyn Pristly4 *$o #atintly radand r9rad #arts o- my o*n manuscri#t4 and *$os )aluabl su!!stions aidd !ratly in t$is

#roduction" Any and all mista+s ar my o*n"

William Scott Wilson5/6;


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Once I was a gallant with books and a sword . . .I studied the arts of peace and studiedthe arts of war,

I studied the arts of war and studied thearts of piece.

Han-Shan

Learning is something that should be studiedbroadly. It is, for example, like the beggars bag

in which e!erything from lefto!er meat to cold soup is stored.

Hosokawa "usai


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INTROD'TION

W$n t$ *orld is at #ac4 a !ntlman +#s $is s*ord by $is sid" Wu Tsu


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INTROD'TIONDescription of the Trns!te" Te#ts

Accordin! to Ja#ans myt$olo!y4 som t$ousands o- yars a!o t$ !ods IBana!i andIBanami cratd t$ -irst island o- t$ Ja#ans arc$i#la!o -rom a $a)nly -loatin! brid!"

T$is t$y did *it$ a s#ar" From t$at tim t$r d)lo#d a martial tradition t$at $as bn

intimatly bound u#4 in on d!r or anot$r4 *it$ t$ country?s cultur in trms o- litratur4 art

and t$ics4 and is a li)in! $rita! )n today"

T$ *ay o- li- and *orld outloo+ o- t$ Ja#ans *arrior is rmar+abl4 bot$ in t$

)i!or t$at $as sustaind $im o)r t$ cnturis4 and $is balancd )i* o- t$ com#lt man as

bin! bot$ martial and litrat" ndrstandin! *$at t$ *arrior mant by t$s t*o conc#ts is

im#ortant to us in a##roac$in! Ja#ans cultur as a *$ol4 and bcaus t$at undrstandin! may!i) us a n* #osition to 1ud! our o*n )alus as *ll"

Prsntd in t$is boo+ ar 5; slctions o- *$at mi!$t broadly b calld kakun and yuikai4 clan #rc#ts and last statmnts4 -rom t$ $ads o- t$ Ja#ans *arrior $ouss to t$ir

dscndants and clan ldrs" T$y ran! -rom litral last statmnts4 suc$ as t$ lttr snt-rom Torii &ototada to $is son on t$ ) o- t$ dstruction o- $is castl4 to #rc#ts mditatd

u#on in t$ uit o- (udd$ist tm#ls by 0o1o S$i!to+i4 or t$ dictums o- Ta+da S$in!n #ut

into *ritin! yars a-tr $is dat$" T$y ar all ali+ in t$at t$y r#rsnt t$ idals o- t$ *arrior class and *r *rittn do*n to $l# !uarant t$ #r#tuation o- t$ clan8 t$y ar statmnts

-rom *arriors to *arriors4 *it$out t$ a##ro)al o- ot$r classs in mind" T$y ar4 t$r-or4

)ital and sincr"

T$ #ur#os o- t$is introductory ssay is to ta+ a broad loo+ at t$ *arriors *$o *rotand *r a--ctd by t$s #rc#ts in trms o- t$ir ori!in4 t$ir socity?s #rc#tion o- t$m4

and t$ systms o- t$ou!$t t$at *r t$ir daily intllctual and motional brad"

T$is )olum co)rs a #riod t$at could b calld t$ classical #riod o- t$ Ja#ans

*arrior8 t$at is4 -rom immdiatly a-tr t$ tim o- Taira no %iyomori?s in-lunc at court in t$lat 5;t$ cntury4 t$rou!$ t$ Priod o- t$ Warrin! Stats4 to t$ b!innin! o- t$ To+u!a*a

#ac4 durin! *$ic$ t$ rol o- t$ *arrior lost muc$ o- its immdiacy" It is durin! t$is classical

#riod t$at t$ *arrior?s acti)itis in national a--airs *r !ratst in sco#4 and it is mostlydurin! t$is tim t$at t$ !nr considrd $r -louris$d" (-or t$ 5;t$ cntury -*r

,am#ls o- *arrior *ritin!s sm to ,ist and4 *it$ t$ To+u!a*a #ac4 t$ #roblms o- t$

*arrior class c$an!d and *r sub1ct mor to #$iloso#$iBin! and idaliBation" T$rou!$out t$

. yars in ustion4 t$ -ormulation o- martial #rc#ts *as basd dirctly on ,#rinc and*as )ital to t$ #roblm o- t$ continuanc o- t$ clan" Durin! t$ To+u!a*a #riod4 $o*)r4

military a--airs casd to dominat t$ samurai?s li-4 t$ !rat *arrior $ouss *r -or t$ most #art *ll stablis$d4 and t$ *arrior class $ad to r9,amin its )alus"

T$ *ritrs #rsntd $r r#rsnt a broad s#ctrum o- #rsonalitis and socialstandin!: -rom t$ u##r9class mmbrs o- t$ +aku#u 3tnt !o)rnmnt7 and $rditary lords

3suc$ as 0o1o S$i!to+i and S$iba


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and No$ alto!t$r 3li+ %ato %iyomasa7" In t$is *ay4 t$ radr may s t$ )alus t$at

rmaind consistnt t$rou!$ many !nrations and #rsonalitis as *ll as t$os t$at c$an!d or

*r intr#rtd -rom a di--rnt #oint o- )i*"

Finally4 it s$ould b mntiond t$at t$ t,ts t$msl)s )ary substantially in styl" T$

egu*ations o# $maga)a yoshun and t$ -%inions in Ninety(Nine 5rtic*es *r4 -or ,am#l4

*rittn in a trs classical '$ins4 t$ lattr slction consistin! #rimarily o- uotations o- oldr '$ins sourcs" T$ '$i+ubas$o4 on t$ ot$r $and4 *as *rittn in a )ry -luid -orm o-Ja#ans t$at r-lcts t$ aut$or?s $i!$ r!ard -or Ja#ans court li- in bot$ styl and contnt"

T$ ot$r slctions ran! in lan!ua! bt*n t$s ,trms4 -rom t$ *ordinss o- %uroda

Na!amasa to t$ laconic styl o- Nabs$ima Naos$i!" Gnrally4 $o*)r4 t$s *or+s *r*rittn by mn *$o *r nit$r unducatd nor unso#$isticatd4 and -ollo* a !rammar t$at is

bot$ radabl and rmar+ably consistnt *$n * considr t$ dramatic c$an!s in En!lis$ o)r

t$ sam #riod o- tim" A!ain4 t$y *r *rittn lss to b n1oyd t$an to b undrstood and!i)n $d"

Ori$in of the Wrrior

In Ja#ans t$r ar s)ral trms t$at a##roac$ t$ manin! o- *arrior4 but t$

closst in usa! and -lin! is #robably t$ trm bus$i 37" (ra+in! do*n t$ c$aractr bu 37r)als t$ radical 374 manin! to sto#4 and an abbr)iation o- t$ radical 374 s#ar" T$ Shuo/en4 an arly '$ins dictionary4 !i)s t$is d-inition: (u consists o- subduin! t$ *a#on and

t$r-or sto##in! t$ s#ar" T$ "so Chuan4 anot$r arly '$ins sourc4 !os -urt$r:

Bu consists o# +un


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a##aranc in *ritin! *as in t$ Shoku Nihongi4 an arly $istory o- Ja#an com#ltd in 2/2 A"D"

In a sction o- t$at $oo+ co)rin! t$ yar 2;4 * rad:

A!ain4 t$ Au!ust Prsona! said4 Litrary mn and *arriors ar t$y *$om

t$ nation )alus"

It is im#ortant to +# in mind t$ connotation o- t$ #ac-ul arts *it$ t$is trm4 -or

alt$ou!$ t$ bun and t$ bit )ry clarly contrastd4 t$y *r at t$ sam tim considrdssntial ualitis o- t$ su#rior man by bot$ t$ '$ins and Ja#ans4 W *ill s t$is

distinctly -rom t$ Ja#ans *arrior?s #oint o- )i* in t$s translations"

T$ ot$r trm usd -or t$ Ja#ans military man *as samurai *rittn it$r 37 or 37" In

'$ins4 t$ c$aractr 37 *as ori!inally a )rb manin! to *ait u#on or accom#any a #rson in

t$ u##r ran+s o- socity4 and t$is is also tru o- t$ ori!inal trm in Ja#ans4 sa+urau" In bot$

countris t$ trms *r nominaliBd to man t$os *$o sr) in clos attndanc to t$nobility4 t$ #ronunciation in Ja#ans c$an!in! to saburai" An arly r-rnc to t$is *ord is

-ound in t$ Kokinshu4 t$ -irst im#rial ant$olo!y o- #oms4 com#ltd in t$ -irst #art o- t$

tnt$ cntury"

5ttendant to no+i*ity 5sk #or your master:s um+re**a,

"he de)s neath the trees o# .iyagino

5re thicker than rain,


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d-ns !rou#s4 *$ic$ !r* !radually bt*n t$ nint$ and 5;t$ cnturis4 tndd to b

or!aniBd alon! -amily lins4 ta+in! in non9rlatd mmbrs o- t$ a!ricultural community as

+?nin 3$ous mn7 as tim *nt on" As t$y !r* in strn!t$ t$y *r o-tn abl to discard t$aristocratic absnt landlords o- t$ manors t$y #rotctd" T$ nd -or l!itimacy *as

-ul-illd in t$ lina! o- t$ir ladrs *$o *r4 i- not t$ dscndants o- t$ ancint aristocratic

u1i 3clans #rdatin! t$ ori!in o- t$ *arrior class74 *r dscndants o- t$ im#rial lin itsl-"T$us4 t$ Ja#ans bus$i *r rminiscnt o- t$ '$ins s$i *$o $ad -louris$d

cnturis b-or" Aristocratic by birt$4 t$y *r not unducatd8 bin! land$oldrs or

administrators o- stats and o-tn *$ol #ro)incs4 t$y $ad incom to su##ort t$ armory and

$orss ncssary to t$ *arrior class"

E)ntually4 t$ ci)il !o)rnmnt lost control not only o- t$ #ro)incs4 but o- t$ ca#italitsl-" In 55C.4 a succssion dis#ut calld t$ 0o!n Disturbanc bro+ out bt*n im#rial

#rincs4 and ladrs o- t$ t*o ma1or bus$i clans4 t$ Taira and &inamoto4 *r calld u#on to

bac+ on #rtndr or anot$r" T$ rsult o- t$ clas$ *as t$ tm#orary mr!nc o- t$ Tairaand cli#s o- t$ &inamoto4 but mor im#ortantly4 t$ b!innin! o- *arrior rul: Taira

%iyomori4 t$ $ad o- $is clan4 not only too+ military control o- %yoto4 but also b!an to

dominat t$ court as *ll" T$ Taira in turn *r crus$d in 556C by a r9mr!nc o- t$&inamoto4 and *it$ t$is )nt bus$i rul bcam com#lt" T$ ladr o- t$ &inamoto -orcs4


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cultur" T$ ,am#ls o- t$ castl to*ns at Ic$i1o!atani and Oda*ara built by t$ Asa+ura and

t$ latr 0o1o dmonstrat t$is tndncy to a rmar+abl d!r" ndr t$is im#tus and t$

ima! o- t$ corrct balanc o- bun and bu4 t$ idal o- t$ sc$olar9*arrior *ould sur)i) )na-tr t$ battls *r lon! o)r" It *ould b a mista+4 $o*)r4 to t$in+ t$at all samurai *r

lttrd" For alt$ou!$ a mor dmocratic ducation amon! t$ *arriors !aind momntum as

tim *nt on4 it $ad crtainly not bn -ully raliBdds#it t$ social #osition o- t$ class as a*$ol)n by t$ lat 52t$ cntury"

The %ie& of the Wrrior in Litert're

T$ c$aractr o- t$ *arrior a##ars t$rou!$out t$ litratur o- Ja#an and studyin! t$is

litratur ma+s it #ossibl to ,amin t$ *arrior as $ *as sn t$rou!$ t$ ys o- $iscontm#orary obsr)rs"

T$ *arrior -irst a##ars in t$ %o1i+i4 Ja#an?s oldst ,tant boo+4 com#ild in 25; by a

larnd aristocrat as a sort o- national $istory o- t$


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Ot$r #oms ar addrssd to lo)d ons4 $is $omland4 and )n a #in tr4 but $is last

#om4 com#osd as $ lay dyin!4 attsts to $is martial callin!:

Ne7t to the maiden:s

S*ee%ing %*ace $ *e#t

"he sa+re' the s)ord

5*as' that s)ord,

a #om #ro#$tic o- t$ $i!$ r!ard to b !i)n t$ Ja#ans s*ord in a muc$ latr a!"


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0$ e7%ect you *ook u%on me as a very uncu*tivated' %rovincia* %erson, 5nd so $ shou*d +e i# $ )ere

at a** *ike the other %eo%*e around here, But $:ve +een very #ortunateA you )ou*d not #ind many men even

at the City )ho have had a +etter education than $, =ou:d +e making a great mistake i# you set me do)n

as a %*ain' countri#ied sort o# man, 5s a matter o# #act there:s nothing $ have not studied, e )ou*d very

much have *iked to try his hand at 31 second %oemA +ut his stock o# ideas )as e7hausted and he )aso+*iged to take *eave,


15/88

=oriyoshi' too' had heard that voice' and' thinking in the same manner as his #ather' had made no

e7%*anations to him, e had s*e%t #u**y dressed )ithout *oosening his sash' and no) he got u% just as he

)as, ike his #ather' he shou*dered a ;uiver o# arro)s and )ent o## in chase a*one to)ard .t, 5usaka,

"he thie#' mounted on the sto*en horse' thought that he had no) managed his esca%e' and' in a

)atery %*ace at the #oot o# .t, 5usaka' *et the horse s%*ash s*o)*y through the )ater, =orino+u heard this'

and' though it )as dark and he had no kno)*edge o# =oriyoshi:s )herea+outs' ye**ed out' 0ShootE "herehe isE just as though he had made detai*ed arrangements +e#orehand, Be#ore the )ords #inished *eaving

his mouth' a +o) t)anged and' a*ong )ith the sound o# the arro) hitting something' the sound o# em%ty

stirru%s cou*d +e heard as the horse ran, 5gain' =orino+u said' 0"he thie# has +een shot do)n, Bring the

horse +ack home ;uick*y, Saying on*y this' he returned )ithout )aiting #or the horse to +e +rought in,

=oriyoshi then )ent out to #ind the horse' and returned , , ,eturning to his home' =orino+u made nothing

o# the %receding events' and in #act in#ormed no one' +ut as it )as sti** night' )ent +ack to +ed just *ike

+e#ore, =oriyoshi %ut the returned horse in the care o# the servants' and he' too' )ent +ack to +ed,

ater' at day+reak' =orino+u came out and' )ithout commending his son on the e7ce%tiona* )ay

in )hich the horse had +een saved or on the )ay he had shot so )e**' sim%*y said' 0"ake out the horse'

and the horse )as taken out, =oriyoshi sa) that it )as tru*y a #ine horse and said' 0/e** then' $:** take it'

%*ease' and took the horse a)ay , , ,

"his is c*ear*y a )ay o# thinking o# e7traordinary %eo%*e' and this story has +een to*d to sho)

that the )arrior:s mind is *ike this , , ,

T$ story -airly *ll s#a+s -or itsl-" In it is r)ald t$ narrator?s admiration and*ondr at t$ *arriors? c$aractr4 t$ir silnt communication and sl-9rlianc4 and t$ *ay t$ir

coura! and bo*mans$i# smd as normal to t$m as *a+in! and sl#in!" And t$ou!$ t$is

story *as told only 5 yars a-tr t$ tim o- Lady &urasa+i4 it r#rsnts a !rat c$an! inattitud -rom cnturis o- courtly disdain4 and #r-i!urs t$ #ic t$at *as to r#rsnt t$ idals

o- t$ *arrior -or a!s to com"

T$ 0i+ &ono!atari is on o- t$ lon!st and most bauti-ully com#osd o- t$ !nr

calld !un+i mono!aturi4 or *ar c$ronicls" Alt$ou!$ *rittn in #ros4 it $as muc$ in common

stylistically *it$ #otry as it *as ori!inally c$antd aloud4 and at tims bra+s into t$ -amiliar29C4 29C #attrn o- Ja#ans lyrics" It is #ic bot$ in t$at it is a #otic narrati) rcountin! t$

li)s o- $roic #rsona!s4 and t$at it mbodis a nation?s conc#tion o- its o*n $istory andc$aractr" 'larly d#ictd t$rou!$out t$ 0i+ &ono!atari is t$ idal o- t$ culti)atd

*arrior" T$is idal is symboliBd in t$ c$aractr 374 or uru*as$ii4 manin! a situation o- balanc

and $armony bt*n t$ ,trior #attrn or bauty 374 and t$ intrior ssnc or substanc 37"

&n *$o #ossss t$is uality *ill b as accom#lis$d in t$ *orld o- t$ arts as in t$ *orld o-martial s+ill and coura!"

Atsumori4 -or ,am#l4 is a youn! Taira c$i-tain *$o is ca#turd *$il rturnin! to $is

abandond cam# -or $is #riBd -lut4 -or *$ic$ $ *as said to $a) !rat talnt" T$ou!$ only a

yout$4 Atsumori is a #r-ct ,am#l o- t$ aristocratic *arrior4 and t$ narrati) dscribs atln!t$ $is l!ant a##aranc:

"he )arrior )ore armour *aced )ith *ight green si*k cords over a t)i**ed si*k +att*e ro+e

decorated )ith an em+roidered design o# cranes, -n his head )as a go*d(horned he*met, e carried a s)ord in a go*d(studded sheath and a +o) +ound )ith red(*ac;uered rattan, is ;uiver he*d a set o# +*ack

and )hite #eathered arro)s' the center o# each #eather +earing a +*ack mark, e rode a da%%*ed gray

out#itted )ith a go*d(studded sadd*e,


16/88

W$n c$alln!d4 Atsumori uic+ly acc#ts and is 1ust as uic+ly o)r#o*rd by $is

stron!r ad)rsary" 0 r-uss to idnti-y $imsl- to t$ lo*r9ran+in! man4 $o*)r4 and tlls

$is ca#tor:

0$ cannot dec*are myse*# to such as you, So take my head and sho) it to the others, "hey )i**

identi#y me, &?

T$ *arriors in t$ 0i+ &ono!atari sr)d as modls -or t$ ducatd *arriors o- latr

!nrations4 and t$ idals d#ictd by t$m *r not assumd to b byond rac$" Rat$r4 t$s

idals *r )i!orously #ursud in t$ u##r c$lons o- *arrior socity and rcommndd as t$ #ro#r -orm o- t$ Ja#ans man o- arms" Wit$ t$ 0i+ &ono!atari4 t$ ima! o- t$ Ja#ans

*arrior in litratur cam to its -ull maturity"

The Wrrior(s %ie& of Litert're

Prior to t$ 5;t$ cntury4 t$r is littl )idnc -or t$ $istorical accuracy o- t$

idaliBd *arriors #ortrayd in t$ 0i+ &ono!atari and ot$r litrary *or+s" Wit$ t$or!aniBation o- t$ military ba+u-u $o*)r4 t$ *arrior too+ a mor acti)and documntd

rol in socity" It is -rom about t$is tim t$at t$ +a+un and yui+ai b!in to a##arstatmnts

-rom t$ *arriors t$msl)s suc$ as t$os r#rsntd in t$is boo+" &any o- t$ slctions in

t$is )olum dal *it$ t$ ustion o- t$ )alu o- litratur to t$ *arrior"Pr$a#s t$ most outs#o+n o- t$ *ritrs translatd $r on t$ )alu o- cultural

attainmnt is S$iba


17/88

/hen a man has a+i*ity in the arts' the de%th o# his heart can +e conjectured and the mind o# his

c*an surmised, No matter ho) no+*e a #ami*y one may +e +orn into or ho) good(*ooking he may +e' )hen

%eo%*e are %icking u% the manuscri%ts #or recitation o# chants' thinking over the rhymes #or making

%oetry or tuning u% their instruments' ho) de%*ora+*e it must +e to +e among %eo%*e reciting *inked verse

and to have to make some e7cuse #or one:s ina+i*ity' or to sit chin in hands )hi*e others are %*aying musictogether,

Or t$is:

"he man )hose %ro#ession is arms shou*d ca*m his mind and *ook into the de%ths o# others,

Doing so is *ike*y the +est o# the martia* arts,

$t is #air*y certain that most ordinary %eo%*e have %icked u% the Genji .onogatari or Sei

Shonagon:s .akura Sochi and read through them any num+er o# times, "here is nothing *ike $ these +ooks

#or the instruction o# man:s +ehavior and the +earing o# the ;ua*ity o# his heart, eading them' one )i**

natura**y +e a+*e to recognize a man )ith sou*,

0r is )idncd an almost dirct connction in S$i$a?s mind bt*n ability in t$

cultural arts4 t$ d#t$ o- on?s $art4 t$ martial arts4 and t$ study o- t$ classical litratur o-

t$ 0ian Priod" S$iba $as rmar+ably littl ls to say about military mattrs in t$'$i+ubas$o4 but rat$r n1oins t$ youn! mn o- $is clan to li) t$ical li)s and to d)lo# t$ir

snsiti)itis and abilitis in cultural r-inmnts"

Anot$r !nral *$o strssd cultural attainmnt in t$ li- o- t$ *arrior *as Ima!a*a

Ryos$un 35;C95=;7" 0 is *ll +no*n -or $a)in! studid #otry undr t$ !rat mastr o- t$ Ni1o sc$ool4 t$ courtir


18/88

i# he gives his heart kno)*edge o# such e*egant and de*icate re#inements, aving +een +orn into

the house o# a )arrior' one:s intentions shou*d +e to gras% the *ong and short s)ords and to die,

'oncrnin! ot$r r-inmnts4 %ato $ad t$is to say:

"he %ractice o# Noh dancing is a+so*ute*y #or+idden,,,, 5 samurai )ho %ractices dancing

)hich is outside o# the martia* artsshou*d +e ordered to commit se%%uku,%ato *as a soldir?s soldir and a blac+smit$?s son4 #robably rci)in! littl courtly

ducation4 t$us r#rsntin! t$ o##osit nd o- t$ s#ctrum -rom S$iba and Ima!a*a in bot$

u#brin!in! and outloo+" T$ou!$ t$ir intr#rtations o- t$ conc#t o- larnin! may di--r4 it *asn)r doubtd by any on o- t$s mn t$at t$is idal *as an int!ral #art o- t$ *arrior?s li-"

(!innin! in 5.4 and lastin! -or t$ n,t ;C yars4 Ja#an *as at #ac undr t$

administration o- a ba+u-u !o)rnmnt4 T$ conomy ,#andd4 and it *as #r$a#s indicati) o-

t$ tims t$at t$ s$o!un surroundd $imsl- *it$ not only military mn and sc$olars but )nmrc$ants" ndr t$s circumstancs many mmbrs o- t$ *arrior class -ound t$msl)s in

an n)ironmnt -or *$ic$ t$ir trainin! as *arriors $ad l-t t$m un#r#ard4 and -rom t$

amount o- attntion d)otd in *ritin!s o- t$ tims to t$ ustion o- *$at is a samurai4 it is)idnt t$at it *as a #riod durin! *$ic$ t$ man o- arms $ad to rassss $imsl-" T$ ba+u-u

itsl- *as not i!norant o- t$is #roblm4 and as arly as 5.5C issud t$ Buke Sho(atto4 or Rul

-or t$ &ilitary I louss4 *$ic$ as its -irst itm4 statd:

"he study o# *iterature and the %ractice o# the mi*itary arts' inc*uding archery and

horsemanshi%' must +e cu*tivated di*igent*y,

0-n the *e#t hand *iterature' on the right hand use o# arms

)as the ru*e o# the ancients, Both must +e %ursued concurrent*y


19/88

)sic Re"in$ n" Re!i$io's )c*$ro'n"

&ost o-tn mntiond as su!!std radin! matrial in t$ *arrior?s o*n #rc#ts ar t$

'on-ucian classics4 and mor s#ci-ically t$ Four (oo+s: t$ Analcts4 t$ Grat Larnin!4 t$Doctrin o- t$ &an4 and t$ &ncius" Ta+da Nobus$i!?s Ninty9Nin Articls4 *$ic$

includs ,am#ls o- *$at *as considrd #ro#r radin! -or t$ ducatd *arrior4 lists t$

Analcts o- 'on-ucius as on o- t$ #rinci#l t,ts o- study"

(asically a #$iloso#$y o- $umanism4 'on-ucianism #lacs muc$ m#$asis on ducation4rationalism4 sincrity o- action4 and t$ rlations$i#s o- #o#l in)ol)d in socity4 rat$r t$an

s#iritual a--airs or s#culation on li- a-tr dat$" In 'on-ucianism4 it is man t$at can ma+ t$

Way !rat4 rat$r t$an t$ Way t$at can ma+ man !rat 3Analcts4 5C:;67" Good !o)rnmnt

is considrd to b -oundd on )irtu and ,am#l rat$r t$an on military mi!$t or -orc4 and t$ #r-ct man is considrd a man o- )irtu rat$r t$an #ro-it" In trms o- $uman rlations$i#s4

'on-ucianism strsss -ilial #ity in t$ $om and -idlity *it$in socity at lar!"

T$ Analcts consists o- many s$ort a#$orisms *$ic$ a--ord an a##roac$ to t$ cor o-

'on-ucianism" No doubt its radrs in t$ *arrior class ,tra#olatd t$ir o*n intr#rtations o-

t$ 'on-ucian doctrin by slctd radin!s" T$ -ollo*in! ar som slctions t$at t$y may$a) -ound most attracti)"

"he /ays o# the gent*eman are three , , , in humanity' he has no an7ietiesA in )isdom' he

has no con#usionA and in courage' he has no #ears,


20/88

.eng Chih(#an )as not +oast#u*, $n a retreat' he took u% the rear %osition, 5s he )as

a+out to enter the gate' he )hi%%ed his horse and said' 0$t:s not that $ dared to +e the *ast' the

horse just )ou*dn:t go,


21/88

Alon! *it$ t$ )alus o- sl-9rlianc4 ascticism4 and sin!l9minddnss 3all o- *$ic$

*r s$ard in common *it$ 'on-ucianism74 Hn laid !rat m#$asis on sl-9dnial4 or

transcndin! li- and dat$ as a condition o- attainin! s#iritual sal)ation" T$ *arrior?s duty4 o-cours4 *as to -i!$t and di4 and in t$is transcndnt #ostur4 Hn o--rd $im t$ s#iritual

trainin! ncssary to carry out $is duty un-linc$in!ly"

Hn4 $o*)r4 occu#id t$ #arado,ical #osition o- rlyin! on intuition 3not standin! onscri#turs7 and yt tac$in! a rs#ct -or larnin! and )n actin! as its )$icl" 0r a!ain4 t$*arrior -ound t$ #rinci#l o- ru!!d and manly disci#lin $armoniBd *it$ t$ litrary *orld"

Not all *arriors blon!d to t$ Hn sct o- (udd$ism4 o- cours4 but it *as Hn t$at

ultimatly $ad t$ !ratst --ct on *arrior socity"

Finally4 t$ '$ins military classics s$ould b mntiond4 du bot$ to t$ir immdiacyto t$ *arrior?s #ro-ssion and to t$ allusion !i)n t$m in t$ #rc#ts" Som o- t$s classics

may dat bac+ as -ar as t$ -i-t$ and si,t$ cnturis ("'"4 and $a) lon! $ld t$ rs#ct o- not

only military mn but sc$olars and #ots as *ll" &ilitary strat!is -or t$ most #art4 t$y *r

rad attnti)ly by t$ !rat Ja#ans cam#ai!nrs8 amon! t$ *ritrs $r t$y ar mntiond

by Ima!a*a Ryos$un and %ato %iyomasa4 and uotd ,tnsi)ly by Ta+da Nobus$i!" Asid-rom t$ir #urly tactical ad)ic4 $o*)r4 t$y must $a) $l#d in t$ -ormation o- *arrior

attituds *it$ #rinci#ls suc$ as t$ -ollo*in!:

"here#ore' it is a #unctiona* mi*itary *a) that one does not re*y on the enemy not coming'+ut re*ies on the #act that he himse*# is )aitingA one does not re*y on the enemy not attacking' +ut

re*ies on the #act that he himse*# is unassai*a+*e,


22/88

0o* *ll t$ *arriors *r abl to sustain t$at balanc may b 1ud!d4 in #art4 by t$s

#rc#ts com#ard *it$ t$ li)s o- t$ir *ritrs"

On may rad t$s #rc#ts4 t$n4 -rom di--rnt #rs#cti)s" T$y may b rad asdocumntary )idnc o- *arrior attituds in crtain tims and #lacs4 or -rom a strictly litrary

#oint o- )i*4 or a!ain4 as matrial !i)in! -rs$ and dirct insi!$t into som o- t$ most

intrstin! mn in Ja#ans $istory" T$r is a currnt runnin! t$rou!$out t$s radin!s4$o*)r4 t$at bars dirctly on oursl)s and our o*n )alus: t$ Way o- t$ Warrior is t$ *ayto t$ total man and t$ 1ourny to a -ullr sl-" In our o*n s#cialiBd cultur4 t$ sc$olar and

t$ #ot ar too o-tn idnti-id *it$ t$ do)4 *$il t$ soldir is d#ictd as too martial and

un-lin!8 t$ir cam#s ar mutually ,clusi)" T$ ladrs o- t$ Ja#ans *arrior classattm#td to s#an t$at !ul-" I- t$y did not attain t$at idal4 t$y did maintain and #rsr) it

*$il li)in! and actin! in t$ *orld *it$ a broadr #oint o- )i* t$an t$at *it$ *$ic$ *

oursl)s mi!$t claim"


23/88

T0E &ESSAGE OF

&ASTER GO%RA%JI

0$# one )i** #i7 his heart in such a )ay and assist the )or*d and its %eo%*e' he )i** havethe devotion o# the men )ho see and hear o# him,


24/88

T0E &ESSAGE OF &ASTER GO%RA%JI

0o1o S$i!to+i

355/695;.5 A"D"7

ojo Shigetoki' the third son o# ojo =oshitoki' )as on*y #ive years o*d )hen the ojo

c*an +ecame shoguna* regents under his grand#ather' ojo "okinzasa,

$n 122' he +ecame the .i*itary Governor o# the %rovince o# Suruga' and in 12 )as

a%%ointed the Shogun:s De%uty in Kyoto' an o##ice he #i**ed unti* 123>, /ith the de#eat o# theriva* .iura c*an in that year' ojo )ent to Kamakura to assist the egent' "okiyori' in the

organization o# the +aku#u, $n 12&H he shaved his head and +ecame a monk' retiring to the itsu(

sect tem%*e that he had esta+*ished' the Gokurakuji' )here he s%ent his remaining years in sec*usion and contem%*ation, e had *ived through a %eriod that sa) the conso*idation o# +oth

%o*itica* and economic %o)er #or the )arrior c*ass' a %eriod o# re*ative ca*m )hen com%ared tothe Gem%ei )ars that %receded it' and the revo*t o# the 5shikaga c*an that )as to #o**o),

ojo )as kno)n #or the se*#*ess he*% he %rovided his higher %*aced re*atives in theadministration o# the +aku#u' and #or his dee% #aith in Buddhism, -# his )ritings' t)o are e7tant!

"he Prece%ts o# the ord o# okuhara' a set o# %ractica* %rece%ts he )rote #or his son' Nagatoki'

in 123>A and "he .essage o# Gokurakuji dono' #rom )hich the %resent te7t is taken' )ritten sometime a#ter 12&H #or his son and the house e*ders in genera*, "his *atter consists o# 1

artic*es )ritten in the kanamajiri sty*e' and is +asica**y concerned )ith man:s mora* duties and

the idea* +ehavior #or *eaders o# the )arrior c*ass, "he %redominant tone o# the )ork is a

Buddhist sym%athy #or a** *iving +eings and an a)areness o# the #unctions o# karma, /omen'chi*dren' and those o# *o)er socia* standing are to +e treated kind*y and )ith regard' and even

the conce%t o# *oya*ty to su%eriors is dea*t )ith more in a re*igious sense than a Con#ucian one,

T$ &ssa! o- Go+ura+u1i9dono r-lcts t$ rli!ions -lin!s t$at sm to $a) bn

common *it$ t$ 0o1o -amily4 and in t$is rs#ct is #robably t$ last scular o- all t$ #rc#ts #rsntd in t$is boo+"

The Message Of Master Gokurakuji

To b!in *it$4 alt$ou!$ it is #rsum#tuous o- m to say so4 t$ rlations$i# o- #arnt and

c$ild ,ists inasmuc$ as t$ir bond in a #r)ious ,istnc *as no s$allo* on" Truly4 t$

im#rmannc o- t$ *orld is li+ a dram *it$in a dram" T$ mn * sa* ystrday ar not$r today4 and t$ ,istnc o- t$os today *ill b in #ril tomorro*" &an?s -at dos not *ait

$is brat$in! in and brat$in! out" T$ sun t$at ros in t$ mornin! sin+s b$ind t$ mountain

rid! in t$ )nin!4 and t$ moon o- t$ ni!$t b-or mar+s t$ b!innin! o- t$ day" T$ bloomin! -lo*rs only *ait -or t$ nticmnt o- t$ storm" From t$s it can b sm t$at

transinc is not limitd to man" And4 alt$ou!$ it *ould at last sm dtrmind t$at old mn

#ass a*ay and youn! mn li) on4 t$ -act is t$at dat$ $as no rs#ct -or a!8 and *$n on


25/88

truly t$in+s about it4 on cannot rly sim#ly on yout$ in t$is uncrtain *orld" T$is bin! so4

s$ould * not *ant to b rmmbrd by ot$rs and culti)at our minds

T$in+in! t$at t$r ar -* o##ortunitis to s#a+ o- suc$ t$in!s dirctly4 I am *ritin!

t$m do*n in t$is mannr" On s$ould rad t$is car-ully at $is lisur as a di)rsion4 and it

s$ould not b lnt to ot$rs" S$ould I not b abl to sca# t$ round o- birt$ and dat$ a!ain t$istim4 )n t$ou!$ I am rborn in innumrabl succssions it *ill b di--icult to mt *it$ you

a!ain4 and t$s *ritin!s may b considrd as rminiscncs o- t$ *orld into *$ic$ I *as -atd

to b born"

First ar t$ articls on s$ould t$in+ o)r in $is $art and #ut into #ractic *it$ $is body"

On s$ould *ors$i# t$ !ods and (udd$as mornin! and ni!$t4 and maintain a $art o--ait$" T$ !ods !rant #o*r to a man accordin! to $is rs#ct -or t$m4 and $ maintains $is -at

accordin! to t$ir blssin!s" T$us4 *$n comin! b-or t$ !ods and (udd$as4 -or bttr ability

in t$is *orld on s$ould as+ to b !rantd an u#ri!$t $art" In t$is *ay $ *ill b stmd int$is *orld and born in t$ Wstrn Paradis in t$ n,t4 and t$is is a -in t$in!" On s$ould

undrstand t$is #rinci#l *ll"

W$n on is sr)in! o--icially or in t$ mastr?s court4 $ s$ould not t$in+ o- a $undrd

or a t$ousand #o#l4 but s$ould considr only t$ im#ortanc o- t$ mastr" Nor s$ould $ dra*t$ lin at $is o*n li- or anyt$in! ls $ considrs )aluabl" E)n i- t$ mastr is bin!

#$l!matic and on !os unrco!niBd4 $ s$ould +no* t$at $ *ill surly $a) t$ di)in

#rotction o- t$ !ods and (udd$as" W$il in t$ midst o- dutis4 on s$ould +# t$is #rinci#l

in mind concrnin! sr)ic at t$ mastr?s court4 too" To t$in+ o- rci)in! t$ blssin!s o- t$mastr *it$out -ul-illin! t$ dutis o- court sr)ic is no di--rnt -rom tryin! to cross a rou!$

sa *it$out a boat"

On s$ould not disr!ard4 )n in 1st4 t$ instructions o- $is #arnts" Alt$ou!$ t$r

s$ould b no on4 as a #arnt4 *$o *ould instruct $is c$ild -or t$ *ors4 t$ c$ildrn *$o ust$ir #arnts? instructions ar rar"

Turnin! t$is o)r in our minds4 *it$ our ys closd4 lt us t$in+ t$is o)r *ll" 0o*

sorro*-ul must b t$ $art o- t$ lamntin! #arnt *$o ss $is c$ild turnin! bad" It could

crtainly b said t$at t$is c$ild is un-ilial" And $o* $a##y t$ $art must b o- t$ r1oicin! #arnt *$o ss $is c$ild bin! !ood" T$is can crtainly b said to b -ilial #ity" On s$ould

listn *it$ a calm mind to *$at on?s #arnts say4 )n i- *$at t$y say is rronous"

It is said t$at *$n t$ ldrly bcom n-bld4 t$y ntr t$ir scond c$ild$ood"

T$ir $air bcoms *$it4 t$ir -or$ads bcom *rin+ld4 and t$ir $i#s bnd li+ a bo* o-catal#a *in id" W$n loo+in! in t$ mirror t$ir ima! $as c$an!d4 and on *ould doubt t$at

t$y ar t$ sam #rson" T$ #rson *$o coms onc in a !rat *$il to )isit #ays $is rs#ctsand !os $om4 and t$r is truly no on *$o coms to stay a*$il" An ldrly #rson?s mind $ascrtainly c$an!d -rom $o* it *as in t$ #ast8 $ cannot rmmbr t$ t$in!s t$at $ $as $ard4

and -or!ts *$at $ $as sn" 0 -ls rsntmnt in t$ t$in!s $ s$ould r1oic in4 and r1oics

in t$ t$in!s $ s$ould rsnt" T$s t$in!s ar all in t$ natur o- t$ ldrly"

ndrstandin! t$is *ll4 on s$ould -irst $a) sym#at$y *it$ *$at $is ldrly #arnts$a) said4 and not turn $is bac+ on t$m" W$n t$ *ay #assd by on?s #arnts $as bn lon!

and t$ir dstination at $and4 on may *ondr $o* muc$ lon!r $ *ill listn to suc$ *ords as


26/88

t$irs" At t$is tim $ s$ould -ollo* t$ir dictums by all mans" T$is *ill surly com to on?s

o*n mind a-tr $ $as bcom old"

I- t$r is som discord bt*n on?s #arnts and anot$r #rson4 i- on *ill #lacat t$ot$r #arty t$r is not$in! t$at4 s$ould !o a*ry" I- t$r is somt$in! bt*n on?s sl- and

on?s #arnts4 $ s$ould at any rat -ollo* $is #arnts? instructions" I- $ dos not4 $ *ill $a)

not$in! but r!rt a-tr t$ sad la)9ta+in!4 and *ill *is$ t$at $ $ad obyd t$m *$il t$y*r still ali)

W$n on is in a #lac *$r #o#l ar !at$rd to!t$r4 and -is$4 -ruit4 and t$ li+ ar

bin! sr)d4 )n i- $ is #arta+in! o- t$is $imsl- $ s$ould do so in a mannr t$at ot$rs may

$a) mor" N)rt$lss4 on s$ould not lt ot$rs b a*ar o- t$is"

W$n on is sr)in! -ood4 it *ill not do to sr) on?s sl- mor t$an t$ !ust" Nors$ould on4 *it$ t$ abo) in mind4 sr) small #ortions" 0 s$ould sr) t$ #ro#r amount"

W$n #assin! by t$ uartrs o- *omn o- $i!$ ran+4 on s$ould #ass by *it$out loo+in!

around r#atdly" In -act4 on s$ould not loo+ at all" And on s$ould ma+ strict instructions to

t$os o- lo*r ran+ accom#anyin! $im t$at t$y s$ould not loo+ it$r"

T$r is rror in t$ midst o- con-ormin! to rason4 and rason in t$ midst o- rror" Ons$ould undrstand t$is *ll"

Error in t$ midst o- rason is *$n on is so con)incd o- $is o*n rasonablnss t$at

$ #us$s $is o#inion -or*ard4 not to t$ ,tnt t$at it *ill caus in1ury to $imsl-4 but to t$

,tnt t$at it may caus anot$r man to los $is li-" T$is is rror in t$ midst o- rason"

$t is tru*y regretta+*e that a %erson )i** treat a man )ho is va*ua+*e to him )e**'

and a man )ho is )orth*ess to him %oor*y,

Rason in t$ midst o- rror is *$n a man is about to los $is li- and on coms to $is

aid *it$out disclosin! t$ t$ousands o- mista+s t$at may b in)ol)d" T$is is rason in t$midst o- rror" I- on *ill -i, $is $art in suc$ a *ay and assist t$ *orld and its #o#l4 $ *ill

$a) t$ d)otion o- t$ mn *$o s and $ar o- $im" &oro)r4 $o* muc$ *ill t$ 1oy b o-

t$ man *$o $as bn $l#d And )n i- t$ #rson $l#d and t$ #o#l around $im do notr1oic4 on *ill $a) +indld t$ d)otion o- t$ !ods and (udd$as4 and *ill $a) #rotction in

t$is li- and assistanc in t$ li- to com"

'oncrnin! mattrs o- drss4 no mattr by *$om on is bin! sn $ s$ould not a##ar

s$abbily4 and )n i- $ is mi,in! *it$ t$ lo*r classs $ s$ould drss to a modrat ,tnt"W$n o-tn in t$ midst o- $umbl #o#l4 on s$ould not r#atdly drss s#lndidly" A #rson

*it$ snsiti)ity *ill b #rudnt in t$is mattr"

W$n on o- on?s com#anions $as bn rbu+d by t$ mastr4 on s$ould -ind it mor

lamntabl t$an i- $ $imsl- $ad bn rbu+d" I- t$ mastr s$ould tll $im about $iscom#anion?s rror4 $ s$ould mdiat *ll -or t$ man" For )n i- t$ mastr dos not a!r

*it$ $im at t$ tim4 it *ill im#rss $im *ll latr on"

At t$ tim o- mrry9ma+in!4 on s$ould b )ry #rudnt about 1oinin! in *it$ a su#rior

*$o is ridin! a *a) o- amusmnt" T$is sort o- t$in! is *$at is calld a cro* imitatin! a


27/88

cormorant" No mattr $o* muc$ on may b lttin! loos or $o* drun+ $ may b4 $ s$ould

b )ry car-ul o- $is dmanor *$n $ is in t$ sam #lac as a su#rior" No mattr $o*

raucous on may !st4 $ s$ould b )ry a*ar o- $is surroundin!s"

It is truly r!rttabl t$at a #rson *ill trat a man *$o is )aluabl to $im *ll4 and a man

*$o is *ort$lss to $im #oorly" E)n do!s and basts *ill b !lad and *a! t$ir tails *$n

solution trats t$m *ll4 and *ill bar+ at and run a*ay -rom t$os *$o !i) t$m rou!$ -ar" Itis in t$ )alu o- bin! born it $uman bin! t$atand t$is !os *it$out sayin! -or t$os *$otrat us *lli- on is +ind to t$os *$o trat $im #oorly4 )n t$y may c$an! t$ir *ays"

And )n i- t$y do not4 $ *ill $a) t$ lo) o- t$ !ods and (udd$as4 and t$os *$o s and

$ar o- $is acts *ill #rais $im"

I- on trats mn rou!$ly in t$is ,istnc4 $ *ill b rou!$ly tratd by t$m in t$ n,t4-or +arma is n)r ndin! in all t$in!s" And i- on *ould rid $imsl- o- bad +arma in t$is round

o- ,istnc4 $ s$ould trat *ll t$os *$o ar not so +ind to $im" For i- on is dalt *it$ +indly

by #o#l4 $ can r1oic in a #r)ious ,istnc8 but i- $ is $andld rou!$ly in t$is *ould4 $is #r)ious ,istnc is a mattr -or r!rt"

W$n on buys somt$in!4 $ s$ould say ,actly *$at $ *ants at onc" I- it is too,#nsi)4 t$n $ s$ould not buy it" To *ast so many *ords is )ul!ar4 and to buy c$a#ly

*ould b a crim4 -or t$ s$o#+#r ma+s $is li)in! by trad"

W$n on?s *i- or c$ildrn ar rlatin! som mattr to $im $ s$ould listn to t$m *it$car" I- t$y say somt$in! unrasonabl4 $ s$ould considr t$at to b in t$ natur o- *omn

and c$ildrn" &oro)r4 i- t$y s#a+ *it$ rason $ s$ould b som*$at im#rssd and

ncoura! t$m to s#a+ in suc$ *ay $ra-tr" On s$ould not loo+ do*n on t$m bcaus t$yar *omn and c$ildrn" Amatrasu Omi+ami ta+s t$ -orm o- a *oman4 and t$ Em#rss

Jin!u4 as a un4 attac+d and sub1u!atd t$ %oran +in!dom o- Silla" A!ain4 on s$ould not

loo+ do*n u#on c$ildrn4 -or t$ !od 0ac$iman ruld -rom t$ tim $ *as a c$ild" On s$ouldrly on nit$r a! nor yout$" (ut $ *$o r)rs t$ mastr and #rotcts t$ #o#l may b

calld a sa!"

W$n on loss at !amblin!4 $ s$ould ta+ t$ consuncs uic+ly" W$n $ *ins $

s$ould not taunt t$ losr" On s$ould not dic+r o)r t$ rsults o- !amblin!"

W$n on is associatin! *it$ #rostituts and dancin! !irls4 $ s$ould not considr t$at4 ast$y ar suc$4 $ can !o to ,csss and s#a+ in an o)rly -amiliar mannr *it$ t$m" On

s$ould act and s#a+ in a sim#l and ordinary *ay" Goin! too -ar4 on may brin! s$am u#on

$imsl-"

W$n on is slctin! a #artnr -rom a numbr o- #rostituts4 $ s$ould #ic+ on *$o isunattracti) and *$os drss is lss comly" A man *ill los $is $art to an attracti) !irl4 but an

unattracti) on *ill $a) no #artnr" &oro)r4 on?s $art *ill not b ta+n in t$is *ay" And as

t$is *ill b -or only on ni!$t4 on can ima!in t$at t$ #rostitut *ill b #lasd too"

W$n on is at a drin+in! #arty $ s$ould al*ays #ay attntion to and s#a+ *it$ t$ #rson at t$ lo*st sat" E)n i- it is *it$ t$ sam *in t$at on is drin+in!4 i- $ *ill -l

sym#at$y -or t$ man and #our -or $im4 t$ man *ill b )ry #lasd" On s$ould b s#cially

sym#at$tic *it$ mn o- lo* #ositions" In t$ir boundlss !rati-ication t$y *ill #lac !ratim#ortanc in on?s ordrs"


28/88

In bcomin! accustomd to ridin! in a boat4 in +no*in! t$ #articulars o- a ri)r4 in

larnin! to climb a mountain4 in $at and in cold4 on s$ould larn all t$s t$in!s *it$

nduranc"

On s$ould not tal+ about t$ -aults o- ot$rs4 )n as a 1o+" For )n t$ou!$ on may

t$in+ o- it as a 1o+4 to ot$rs it may b mbarrassin!4 and t$is is a bad mista+" I- on *ould

1o+4 $ s$ould 1o+ about t$in!s t$at ar a #lasur to ot$rs" On s$ould $a) rstraint andd# sym#at$y in all t$in!s"

On s$ould not tal+ about a *oman?s -aults4 no mattr $o* $umbl o- ori!in s$ may b"

T$is !os *it$out sayin! -or *omn o- #osition" On s$ould us discrtion in tal+in! about

#o#l?s !ood #oints4 and s$ould say not$in! about t$ir bad ons" A #rson *$o $as no

1ud!mnt in t$s mattrs *ill li+ly brin! s$am u#on $imsl-" Suc$ t$in!s $a) no mrit at all"

-ne shou*d have insight into this )or*d o# dreams that %asses in the t)ink*ing o#

an eye,

(y mans o- an oar4 a boat is abl to bar out -ri!$tnin! *a)s4 #rotct itsl- -rom rou!$*inds4 and cross !rat sas" As -or a man *$o is born into t$is *orld4 $ may cross it *it$ t$

$l# o- t$ !ods and (udd$as by mans o- an u#ri!$t $art" Rlyin! on an u#ri!$t $art4 *$n it

coms tim to ta+ t$ tri# to t$ Nt$r World4 t$r s$ould b a #at$ across t$ &ountain o-

Dat$ and a brid! across t$ Ri)r Sty," Suc$ a $art *ould sm to b a 1*l -or *$ic$ t$ris no occasion to #ut a*ay" On s$ould undrstand t$is *ll"

An u#ri!$t $art is -r o- a)aric4 and a lac+ o- a)aric *ill b an aid in t$ li- to com"

On s$ould $a) insi!$t into t$is *orld o- drams t$at #asss in t$ t*in+lin! o- an y"

Postscript

Alt$ou!$ it is crtainly s$am-ul o- m to !o on li+ t$is4 a man?s li- $as its dtrmindlimit4 and on cannot +no* *$n $is nd is comin!" &oro)r4 concrnin! t$ conditions o-

-acin! t$at momnt4 t$r $a) bn mn *$o #assd a*ay la)in! not$in! said4 and ot$rs *$o

$a) l-t t$is *orld in t$ midst battl" &an?s -at is li+ t$ d*4 and -ollo*s t$ uncrtain *indo- li- and dat$" E)n on?s rlations$i# *it$ $is c$ild is as uncrtain as t$ simmrin! o- a $at

*a)" T$us4 I $a) s#o+n t$ t$in!s to $a) com to mind *it$out $sitation"

I- you *ould #ut t$s t$in!s into --ct and t$ rsults *ould turn #oorly4 you s$ould

blam your -at$r at tim -or $a)in! s#o+n )il" (ut I -l t$at #uttin! t$m into #ractic *ould b t$ $i!$st disc$ar! o- on?s -ilial dutis" And )n i- you do not #ut t$m into #ractic4 you

s$ould #ass t$m on to your dscndants until t$ nd o- tim" For amon! t$ dscndants to

com4 i- on in t$ midst o- a $undrd *r to #ut t$s into #ractic4 $ mi!$t *ondr i- t$y*rn?t #r$a#s somt$in! t$at $ad bn #assd do*n by on o- $is ancstors"

It is #rsum#tuous -or a man?s #arnt to mddl *it$ $is c$ildrn4 and you may t$in+ t$at

*$at I am about to say is ,actly t$at4 but I $o# t$at you *ill sit #ac-ully *it$ t*o or t$r o-

your c$ildrn and rad t$is to t$m"


29/88

somt$in! $andd do*n to you -rom your -at$r"


30/88

T0E '0I%(AS0O

“In this uncertain world, ours should be the path of discipline.”


31/88

THE CHIKU)ASHO

S$iba


32/88

A *arrior !nrally s$ould not b unmind-ul and la,4 but rat$r s$ould t$in+ )ryt$in!

o)r a$ad o- tim" Watanab no Tsuna instructd rab no Suta+ t$at $is )ryday mind

s$ould b li+ t$at o- a co*ard4 *$ic$ mant t$at on s$ould b #r#ard b-or$and -or t$ -inal!rat )nt"

&any mn -l t$at t$y s$ould act accordin! to t$ tim or 1ust accordin! to t$ momnt

t$y ar -acin!4 and t$us ar in con-usion *$n somt$in! !os byond t$is and som di--icultyinstantanously ariss" It is a mattr o- r!rt to lt t$ momnt *$n on s$ould di #ass by" It$as bn said to t$ --ct t$at t$ #r#ardnss o- t$ *arrior and t$at o- t$ mon+ ar t$ sam"

In all mattrs it is a r!rttabl t$in! not to #aci-y on?s mind"

&n *it$ s$ar#nss o- mind ar to b -ound only amon! t$os *it$ a #nc$ant -or

t$ou!$t"

A #rson?s c$aractr and d#t$ o- mind may b sn by $is b$a)ior" T$us4 on s$ould

undrstand t$at )n t$ -ncs and *alls $a) ys4 and not bcom n!li!nt )n *$n alon"

&uc$ mor so -or b$a)ior in t$ midst o- #o#l4 on s$ould not ta+ a sin!l st# in

)ain4 or s#a+ a *ord in a *ay t$at ot$rs may s#a+ o- $im as s$allo*"

.any men #ee* that they shou*d act according to the time or the moment they are

#acing' and thus are in con#usion )hen something goes +eyond this and some

di##icu*ty arises,

&oro)r4 )n #o#l *$o li+ r-inmnt and l!anc in t$ir li)s s$ould add t$sualitis to t$msl)s a-tr ma+in! t$ir $arts u#ri!$t and tru" W$n t$r is no trut$ )n in

rlations bt*n mn and *omn4 *it$out a r-ind sincrity t$r *ill b littl to d#ly mo)

t$ $art"

On *ill only !o a!ainst t$ tac$in!s o- $is #arnts i- $ t$in+s -irst o- $is o*n situationand r!ards t$ir ad)ic as troublsom" E)n i- on?s #arnts ar lac+in! in *isdom4 i- on *ill

-ollo* t$ir #rc#ts $ *ill -irst o- all li+ly not $ turnin! $is bac+ on t$ Way o- 0a)n"

&or t$an t$is4 in i!$t or nin tims out o- tn4 #arnts? *ords *ill b in accord *it$ t$rasonin! o- t$ir c$ild" T$us4 on?s o*n mista+s may b r-lctd u#on"

T$ *ords o- on?s #arnts t$at in t$ #ast on -ound ),in! or r1ctd in #rinci#l ar

all im#ortant" Rat$r t$an imitatin! t$ !ood in ot$rs4 on s$ould imitat $is o*n -aulty #arnts"

T$is in itsl- *ill carry on t$ clan traditions and #ro)id -or on?s dscndants"

T$at t$ !ods and (udd$as s$ould b r)rd is li+ly +no*n by anyon *$o is a man4and dos not *arrant bin! mntiond an*" (ut in t$is connction t$r is a small mattr t$at

s$ould b undrstood"

T$ (udd$a a##ard and t$ !ods mani-std t$msl)s in t$is *orld ntirly -or its

sa+ and -or t$ sa+ o- t$os li)in! in it" T$us4 it *as not to in1ur man4 but to ma+ $is $art #ur4 to ma+ corrct $is sns o- $umanity4 1ustic4 #ro#rity4 *isdom and -ait$-ulnss4 and to

ma+ clar t$ -oundation o- $is li-"


33/88

T$os *$o do not undrstand t$is basic #oint con-ss t$ir bli- in t$ (udd$as but

brin! troubl to t$ #o#l4 ta+in! t$ir blon!in!s4 and buildin! tm#ls or monastris" Or4

dclarin! t$ir rs#ct -or t$ !ods4 t$y d#ri) mn o- t$ir $inds only to #r-orm s$rinsr)ics" On s$ould +no* t$at suc$ acts ar a sacril! to bot$ t$ !ods and (udd$as"

E)n t$ou!$ on $as n)r o--rd a sin!l sr)ic to t$ (udd$a or mad a #il!rima!

to a s$rin4 i- $is $art is u#ri!$t and -ull o- com#assion4 nit$r t$ !ods4 nor (udd$as *ill loo+$im amiss" T$ !rat !od o- Is4 t$ (od$isatt)a 0ac$iman4 and t$ !od o- %itano in #articularar li+ly to rsid in t$ $ads o- t$os *$o ar !ntl and #ur"

A!ain4 t$r ar mn *$o #ray at t$ s$rins only *$n t$y t$msl)s ar in distrss"

T$is is a sad situation4 indd" T$ dsir o- t$ !ods and (udd$as is not$in! ot$r t$an t$at *

#ray -or $a##inss in t$ *orld to com4 nd in suc$ t$r is --ct"


34/88

!at$rin! to!t$r is a*+*ard indd" T$at on s$ould b *ll #racticd in suc$ arc$ry s#orts

as mato4 +asa!a+4 and inu9oumono4 !os *it$out sayin! and s$ould b an undrstood mattr"

A man *it$ intlli!nc and a -irm $art *ill b abl to #ut ot$rs to us" Po#l?s *aysar )ariant4 and to us a man to *$om on $as ta+n a li+in! -or all t$in!s-or ,am#l4 to us a

military man -or litrary mattrs4 or a man untalntd in s#c$ as a mssn!r4 or a slo*9

t$in+in! man in a #lac *$r a uic+ *it is ncssarymay brin! about -ailur and )n causa man?s li- to b ruind" A man s$ould b #ut to us in t$ lin *it$ *$ic$ $ sms most-amiliar"

W$n mn ar #ut to us in t$ sam *ay t$at cur)d *ood is usd -or t$ *$l and

strai!$t *ood -or t$ s$a-t4 t$r *ill b no on *it$out )alu"

T$us4 *on?t t$r )n b us -or a man4 accordin! to t$ mattr at $and4 -or *$om ondos not #articularly car W$at *ill it )alu a man to not #ut anot$r to us on t$ !rounds o-

disli+ -or $im It is truly as statd abo)4 t$at a man lac+in! sincrity in $is $art is li+ly to

!ain no mrit in anyt$in!" T$ sayin! t$at all abilitis com -rom t$ $art a##lis to suc$

situations"

Particularly t$ man *$os #ro-ssion is arms s$ould calm $is mind and loo+ into t$

d#t$s o- ot$rs" Doin! so is li+ly t$ bst o- t$ martial arts"

It is -airly crtain t$at most ordinary mn $a) #ic+d u# t$ Gn1i &ono!atari and Si

S$ona!on?s &a+ura Sos$i and road t$rou!$ t$m any numbr o- tims" T$r is not$in! li+t$s boo+s -or t$ instruction o- man?s b$a)ior and t$ barin! o- t$ uality o- $is $art"

Radin! t$m4 on *ill naturally b abl to rco!niB a man *it$ soul"

Surly on s$ould not act inconsidratly to anot$r?s distrss4 ntrtain a d# cra)in!

-or t$in!s4 or ma+ *ort$lss -llo*s on?s -rinds" It is in t$ natur o- man t$at t$ !ood isdi--icult to larn *$il t$ bad is asily ta+n to4 and t$us on naturally bcoms !radually li+

t$os *it$ *$om $ is -amiliar" I mysl- $a) raliBd t$is d#ly" T$at I $a) #racticd t$ art

o- calli!ra#$y stms -rom t$ -act t$at I onc notd *it$ mbarrassmnt $o* *ll a crtain lady*rot $r c$aractrs" T$at alon! *it$ )ryon ls I b!an studyin! *a+a4 !ttin! my nammntiond in t$ #otry collction4 S$in!os$ui Wa+as$u4 and t$at I bcam in)ol)d *it$

*ritin! lin+d )rs all coms -rom t$ -act t$at I com#td *it$ my youn! -rinds4 at -irst *it$

!otism and latr *it$ t$ou!$t to r#utation" T$us4 naturally and *it$ t$ #assa! o- tim4 my$art dr* clos to t$is sub1ct and I $a) mi,d *it$ t$os *$o ar li+*is inclind"

W$n mn bcom old t$y ar tratd *it$ a)rsion by ot$rs4 and it is di--icult to

#artici#at in socity" I-4 t$n4 on is not connctd *it$ any arts at all4 nit$r *ill $is ,istnc

b rco!niBd by ot$rs4 nor *ill $ $a) anyt$in! *it$ *$ic$ to soot$ $is o*n mind"

As -or #layin! -ootball4 *$n I *as youn! I *as ur!d to -ill in bcaus o- a lac+ o-

#layrs4 and4 to t$ ,tnt t$at I associatd *it$out bin! as$amd *it$ t$os -llo*s4 in t$ ndt$ rsult *as t$at4 alt$ou!$ not so das$in!4 I *as abl to distin!uis$ mn o- t$ art4 !ood and

bad tc$niu4 and calmnss o- mind" T$us4 I *as brou!$t to s$am by no on4 r!ardlss o-t$ir s+ill"

As -or t$ study o- music4 t$at4 too4 *as strssd by my #arnts4 and as an aid in t$ study

o- t$ t$r basic lut mlodis I *as tau!$t t$ us o- t$ drum -rom b-or t$ tim I can

rmmbr" T$is study *as cut o-- $al- *ay du to *or+ and lac+ o- tim" &y intntions4 t$n4


35/88

*r in )ain4 -or a-tr t$at I *as no lon!r abl to associat *it$ mn *$o studid suc$ t$in!s"

T$is is r!rttabl"

'oncrnin! t$is mattr4 too4 on?s art is a--ctd by $is -rinds" T$ mn and *omn o- bot$ #ast and #rsnt *$o $a) !aind nams in t$ *orld o- t$ arts $a) don so on no s#cial

accounts" T$y sim#ly imbud t$ir minds *it$ t$ moon and -lo*rs4 loo+d t$rou!$ to t$

transinc o- t$is *orld4 mad t$ir $arts tndr4 +n* t$ a*ar o- t$in!s4 and #uri-id t$irintntions" T$us t$y !aind -am in t$ Way o- t$ Arts by t$ir !ntlnss and t$ir su#rlati)artistic sns and ability"

W$n on t$in+s o)r t$s mattrs4 it *ould sm t$at in today?s *orld * lac+ suc$

culti)atd #o#l" W$il yt in t$ )i!or o- yout$4 mn #ut t$ir #rid in a )a!uly #lasin!

a##aranc8 t$in+in! only o- t$msl)s and t$ir dsirs4 t$y nit$r disci#lin t$ir minds nor*is$ to bcom mor r-ind" W$n mtin! *it$ t$os *$o s strai!$t t$rou!$ to t$ $art4

*ill not suc$ mn b uic+ly scornd W$n on t$in+s about suc$ unculti)atd mn !ro*in!

old4 t$y sm no di--rnt t$an a!ain -o,s and bad!rs" And *$at *ill b don t$n

0Cherry +*ossoms that #a** in con#usion'Concea* the road that is trave**ed By my a%%roaching o*d age,

5ri)ara no Narihira

0-n*y a)aiting my end'

/i** it +e today or tomorro)

Kai:s )ater#a** o# tears or my o)n,

/hich sheds the more

5ri)ara no =ukihira

0"hen $:** c*im+ .irror .ountain and have a *ookE

"his +ody %assed +y )ith so many years'/on:t it *ook o*d

W$n * rcall t$at t$s #oms *r rcitd and lo)d in t$ rs#lndnt #ast4 * $arin t$m bot$ #at$os and !ntility" W$n a man #uts all $is stoc+ in yout$4 *$at *ill b $is

t$ou!$ts *$n old a! $as com T$ou!$ on?s s#an sms only a dram or a##arition4 $is nam

may last to t$ nd o- tim" (ut unlss as a -amous (udd$ist #rist4 sa!4 or saint4 or a!ain as aman o- r-inmnt4 *$o *ill b +no*n -or lon! in t$ !nrations to com T$ou!$ it is said t$at

mn ar mad o- nit$r *ood nor ston4 ar not t$os *$o s#nd t$ir li)s -or nau!$t no

di--rnt t$an t$ rottin! trs in t$ s$ado* o- t$ )ally

On s$ould us #rudnc in t$is mattr"T$r is not$in! mor bas t$an -or a man to los $is tm#r too o-tn" No mattr $o*

an!ry on bcoms4 $is -irst t$ou!$t s$ould b to #aci-y $is mind and com to a clar

undrstandin! o- t$ situation at $and" T$n4 i- $ is in t$ ri!$t4 to bcom an!ry is corrct"

(comin! an!ry sim#ly on account o- on?s o*n bias is unrasonabl4 and on *ill not

b $ld in rs#ct" T$us4 t$ou!$ on may bcom mor and mor an!ry4 t$r *ill b no rsult" Itis rason alon by *$ic$ #o#l -l $umbld and -or *$ic$ t$y -l rs#ct" Sim#ly4 *$n on


36/88

bcoms an!ry4 $ s$ould r#atdly calm $is mind and t$in+ t$ mattr o)r" It is a !ood t$in!

not to b as$amd o- corrctin! on?s mista+s" To ta+ somt$in! onsl- $as don to $art and

#us$ it t$rou!$4 r!ardlss o- its !ood or )il4 is a disastr o- t$ -irst ordr"

It s$ould also b said t$at it is not !ood -or ot$rs and dos $arm to onsl- to sim#ly

rmain tranuil and s#a+in! li+ a t$r9yar9old c$ild4 n)r bcomin! an!ry4 barin! rancor4

or d#lorin! mattrs *$n on s$ould" T$is !os also -or lttin! situations #ass by *$n ons$ould d-initly s#a+ $is mind to anot$r4 in t$ nd bcomin! +no*n by all as o)rlyaccommodatin!" It is a !ood t$in! to +# on?s mind tranuil4 yt to s#a+ *$at on s$ould

*$n t$r is a situation t$at s$ould b r#rimandd4 and t$us not bcom +no*n as com#ltly

mindlss"

Lon! a!o4 *$n all mn *r !ood9naturd4 * could call suc$ mn it$r !ood or bad"(ut no*adays4 as #o#l it$r loo+ do*n on ot$rs or carry only )il in t$ir $arts4 t$y distain

t$os *$o ar only !ntl and corrct"

T$ (udd$ists *$o ta+ t$ Way o- Sl-lssnss sm to b lac+in! bot$ y and mind4

but *$n t$y tal+ as t$r9yar9old c$ildrn it is yt anot$r t$in!"

&oro)r4 a -ool *$o sits s#c$lss4 unabl to discriminat t$ !ood -rom t$ bad4

*ould surly not b calld a !ood man" Suc$ t$in!s s$ould b t$ou!$t o)r *ll"

T$ #rists t$at #ractic BaBn *r not born cl)r4 but bcam nli!$tnd to all t$in!s

by #aci-yin! t$ir minds" Sc$olars4 too4 to t$ ,tnt t$at t$y study *it$ !rat rs#ct to *$at is b-or t$m and #aci-y t$ir minds4 bcom naturally cl)r about ot$r mattrs4 too"

W$t$r a man bcoms !ood or bad4 cl)r or t$ic+9*ittd4 is sim#ly a mattr o- t$

*ay $ uss $is mind" A man?s #a+ yars do not numbr o)r tn" Durin! t$at tim a man

s$ould #ut out --ort -or at last somt$in!" From t$ tim on is tn to t$ tim $ is 5= or 5C4 $is intrstd in not$in! truly" (comin! 5= or 5C $ is still slo* and una##rciati) o- anyt$in!4

and )n considrabl disci#lin at t$is tim *ill not com u# to on?s ,#ctations" From t$

tim on is 56 or 5/ to t$ tim $ is 4 $is mind $as com to ordr4 and $ arri)s at t$-ountain$ad o- intrst8 yt t$is #riod dos not !o byond 5; or 5 yars"

In t$is uncrtain *orld4 ours s$ould b t$ #at$ o- disci#lin"

It is t$ natur o- t$is *orld * li) in t$at4 o- our dsirs4 not on out o- tn coms out

t$ *ay * *ould li+" It is doubt-ul t$at )n t$ Em#ror $as t$in!s t$ *ay $ *ould li+

t$m to b" In s#it o- t$at4 -or on to #rsist *ill-ully in a--airs t$at $a) not !on accordin! to$is $art?s dsir4 *ill4 in t$ nd4 b in)itin! t$ admonis$mnt o- 0a)n" No man s$ould t$in+

o- !ttin! satis-action today concrnin! somt$in! $ -lt c$a!rind by ystrday4 or !ainin! t$is

yar an ambition t$at *as -rustratd t$ yar b-or"

$t is the nature o# this )or*d )e *ive in that' o# our desires' not one out o# ten

comes out the )ay )e )ou*d *ike,

I- * do act in t$is )in4 t$ dsirs o- our $arts *ill ris u# on a-tr anot$r li+ dust in

t$ *ind4 and our a--airs *ill b a--lictd by t$ sam" As muc$ as #ossibl4 it is bttr to -or!tsuc$ as#irations4 -or $ *$o *ould tndr rancor in $is $art is a morti-yin!ly #r)rs man"


37/88

Suc$ a *rtc$ is ds#isd in bot$ t$ scular and (udd$ist *orlds ali+" Any man *$o $as som

!otistical attac$mnt t$at $ *ill not -or!t *ill surly b narro*9mindd and --minat" In

s*#in! t$s t$in!s asid and not lttin! t$m stay in on?s $art4 ot$r and bttr t$ou!$ts*ill aris"

On s$ould ta+ !rat car to #ut man -irst in all t$in!s4 and ridicul no on"

E)n *$n in a battl t$at is byond on?s mans to *ill4 on s$ould li-t u# $is $art and

b rsol)d t$at no on *ill sur#ass $im in -irmnss" 0 s$ould t$in+ to b anot$r?s strn!t$and to b rlid u#on" No mattr $o* -rindly a man may b *it$ on4 $ s$ould not b as+d

about battls i- $ is born a co*ard" On s$ould not considr )adin! an im#ndin! battl

bcaus o- its normity" Nor s$ould on ad)ocat a battl t$at s$ould not b -ou!$t on account o-

its bin! un,actin!"

For battls !nrally4 *$n t$y ar li+ly to b un,actin!4 on s$ould #ut ot$rs to t$

-or" (ut -or situations o- crisis4 )n i- it b a $undrd tims4 on s$ould b o- t$ mind to ta+

action $imsl-" n-air b$a)ior is ,traordinarily bad in battl"

Suc$ mattrs ar only *$at t$is -oolis$ man $as com to +no*4 and4 ntirly -rom a #arnt?s ,css o- com#assion I *rit t$m do*n -or my #ossibly )n mor -oolis$

dscndants"

To t$ bst o- your abilitis4 culti)at and ta+ car o- yoursl)s"


38/88

T0E REGLATIONS OF

I&AGAWA R


39/88

T0E REGLATIONS OF I&AGAWA R' the Baku#u had *ost contro* o# most o# the is*and o# Kyushu and sent yoshun to serve as mi*itary governor to %aci#y the area, "o this task he devoted the ne7t decade

o# his *i#e' at the same time continuing his *iterary interests and contacts )ith his teacher' Nijo

=oshimoto,

$n 19& it )as suggested to the Shogun =oshinitsu that yoshun )as +y #ar too %o)er#u*and he*d re+e**ious intentions, "hus he )as reca**ed to his governorshi% in Suruga )here he

devoted most o# his remaining years to *iterature and %oetry,

yoshun )as the author o# a num+er o# *iterary )orks and documents' among them the

.ichiyuki+uri' a trave* diary inc*uding some o# his o)n %oetryA the Nan "aiheiki' an historica*)orkA and the %resent te7t' the egu*ations' )ritten in 1312 #or his younger +rother' "adaaki,

5*so ca**ed the $maga)a /a** $nscri%tions' the egu*ations has +een res%ected and studied as a

te7t on %ro%er mora*ity u% unti* //$$' and used during the 6do %eriod as a +asic te7t in tem%*e schoo*s, /ritten in kan+un' it sets do)n the c*assic vie) that a )arrior must +e a man o# +oth

mi*itary ski** and o# *ettersthat *acking one' he )i** *ack +oth, 5s a Buddhist' yoshun

%roscri+ed the )anton taking o# *i#e' +ut as a mem+er o# the )arrior c*ass' he he*d great res%ect #or his %ro#ession, 5s a Con#ucian' he cited the Chinese C*assics and demanded res%ect #or one:s

#ami*y' as )e** as stressing the conce%t o# *oya*ty and duty to one:s master, $n him )e see the

idea* o# the )arrior at its most +a*anced stage,

The Re$'!tions of I,$& R-osh'n

Wit$out +no*ld! o- Larnin!4 on *ill ultimatly $a) no military )ictoris"

'ormorant -is$in! and -alconin! ar #lasurs t$at4 uslssly dstroy li-" T$y ar

-orbiddn"

It is -orbiddn to #ass t$ dat$ sntnc on a man *$o $as committd a minor crim

*it$out -ull in)sti!ation"


40/88

It is -orbiddn to us -a)oritism and ,cus a man *$o $as committd a ma1or crim"

It is -orbiddn to brin! about on?s o*n ,cssi) #ros#rity by mans o- ,#loitin! t$

#o#l and causin! t$ dstruction o- s$rins"

It is -orbiddn to tar do*n on?s ancstors? -amily tm#ls and #a!odas4 t$rby

mbllis$in! on?s o*n domicil"It is -orbiddn to -or!t t$ !rat dbt o- +indnss on o*s to $is mastr and ancstors

and t$rby ma+ li!$t o- t$ )irtus o- loyalty and -ilial #ity"

It is -orbiddn t$at on s$ould4 actin! disrs#cti) o- t$ Way o- 0a)n4 attac$ littl

im#ortanc to $is dutis to $is mastr and b o)rly attnti) to $is o*n businss"

It is -orbiddn to b indiscriminat o- on?s rtainrs? !ood or )il actions and todistribut un1ust r*ards and #unis$mnts"

( mind-ul o- t$ -act t$at4 as you +no* t$ *or+s o- your o*n rtainrs4 t$ mastr

+no*s yours in t$ sam *ay"

It is -orbiddn to disru#t t$ rlations$i#s o- ot$r #o#l4 and to ma+ ot$rs? an!uis$your o*n #lasur"

It is -orbiddn to #ut ot$rs? #ro-it at a loss and4 rc+lssly mbracin! on?s o*n

ambition4 incras on?s o*n #o*r"

It is -orbiddn to b disr!ard-ul o- on?s o*n -inancial status4 and to li) it$r too -ar

abo) or blo* it"

It is -orbiddn to $a) contm#t -or *is rtainrs and #r-r -lattrrs4 and to $a) on?sactions b in-luncd by t$s conditions"

On s$ould not b n)ious o- somon *$o $as #ros#rd by un1ust dds" Nor s$ould $

disdain somon *$o $as -alln *$il ad$rin! to t$ #at$ o- ri!$tousnss"

It is -orbiddn to b !i)n u# to drin+in! and carousin! and4 in !amblin! and t$ li+4 to-or!t on?s -amily dutis"

It is -orbiddn to b #rid-ul o- on?s o*n cl)rnss4 and to ridicul ot$rs about

)ryt$in!"

W$n a #rson coms to on?s $om4 it is -orbiddn to -i!n illnss and t$us a)oid

mtin! $im"

It is -orbiddn to n1oy only on?s o*n tranuility4 and to rtir a man *it$out addin! to$im som sti#nd"

It is -orbiddn to b ,cssi) in on?s o*n clot$in! and armor4 *$il $is rtainrs !o

about s$abbily"

On s$ould b $i!$ly r)rntial o- (udd$ist #rists4 and trat t$m *it$ corrct

mannrs"

R!ardlss o- a #rson?s $i!$ or lo* #osition4 it is -orbiddn to disr!ard t$ la* o-

+arma4 and to sim#ly li) in as"


41/88

It is -orbiddn to rct barrirs *it$in on?s o*n domain and t$us caus distrss to

tra)lrs bot$ comin! and !oin!"

T$ abo) articls s$ould b +#t in mind at all tims"

Postscript

It is natural t$at trainin! in t$ martial arts is t$ Way o- t$ Warrior4 but it is mostim#ortant to #ut t$m into actual #ractic" First4 it is clarly *rittn in t$ Four (oo+s and t$

Fi) 'lassics? as *ll as in t$ military *ritin!s t$at in #rotctin! t$ country4 i- on is i!norant

o- larnin! $ *ill b unabl to !o)rn" From t$ tim on is youn!4 $ s$ould associat *it$com#anions *$o ar u#ri!$t4 and not )n tm#orarily b ta+n in by -rinds o- lo* c$aractr"

Just as *atr *ill con-orm to t$ s$a# o- t$ )ssl t$at contains it4 so *ill a man -ollo* t$

!ood and )il o- $is com#anions" T$is is so tru" T$r-or it is said t$at t$ mastr *$o !o)rns$is domain *ll lo)s *is rtainrs4 *$il t$ man *$o ,#loits t$ #o#l lo)s -lattrrs" T$is

mans t$at i- on *ould +no* t$ $art o- t$ mastr4 $ s$ould loo+ to t$ com#anions *$om

t$ mastr lo)s" On s$ould truly ta+ t$is to $art" To #r-r -rinds *$o ar su#rior to $im4

and to a)oid t$os *$o ar $is in-riors4 is t$ *isdom o- t$ !ood man" 0o*)r4 considrin!

t$is to b tru4 it *ill not do to b o)rly -astidious in on?s c$oic o- #o#l" T$is is sim#lysayin! t$at on s$ould not lo) t$os *$o ar )il" T$is is not limitd to t$ man *$o !o)rns

t$ country4 -or *it$out t$ lo) and rs#ct o- t$ masss4 all mattrs ar di--icult to ac$i)"

First o- all4 a samurai *$o disli+s battl and *$o $as not #ut $is $art in t$ ri!$t #lac)n t$ou!$ $ $as bn born in t$ $ous o- t$ *arrior4 s$ould not b rc+ond amon! on?s

rtainrs" &any -amous !nrals $a) mad t$is admonition" N,t4 i- on *ould *ondr about

t$ !ood and )il o- $is o*n $art4 $ may t$in+ o- $imsl- as !ood i- many #o#l o- bot$ $i!$and lo* #ositions !at$r at $is door" And4 )n i- on in)its many #o#l4 and still t$y n!lct

$im and $ $as no comrads4 $ s$ould t$in+ o- $is o*n conduct as bin! incorrct"


42/88

T$r is a #rimary nd to distin!uis$ loyalty -rom disloyalty and to stablis$ r*ards

and #unis$mnts" It is manin!lss to di)id u# t$ administration o- t$ domain i- on?s )assals

commit uslss acts in t$ir o*n intrsts4 $a) no ability in t$ martial arts4 and do not sustaint$ir undrlin!s" And t$ou!$ on can say t$at t$ tratmnt o- $is )assals in t$ di)ision o- t$

-i-s $as not di--rd sinc t$ tim o- $is ancstors4 di--rncs in conduct and aut$ority ar

d#ndnt on t$ -ram o- mind o- t$ #rsnt mastr"(in! born into a -amily t$at $as -rom t$ b!innin! arnstly +no*n t$ Way o- (attl4

it is truly r!rttabl to *ast-ully tam#r *it$ t$ domain4 su##ort no soldirs4 and rci) t$

scorn o- all"

T$us is t$ abo) *rittn"

in t$ 5/t$ yar o- Oi 35=5;7


43/88

T0E SE>ENTEEN ARTI'LES

OF ASA%RA TOS0I%AGE

“Even if one has learned all the sayings of the sages and saints, he should

not insist on them obstinately.”


44/88

THE SE%ENTEEN ARTICLES

OF ASAKURA TOSHIKAGE

Asa+ura Tos$i+a!

35=;695=65 A"D"7

"he 5sakura' c*aiming descent #rom severa* em%erors' )ere esta+*ished in the %rovince

o# 6chizen as hereditary vassa*s o# the Shi+a c*an' and )ere a %o)er#u* #orce +oth mi*itari*y and

economica**y #rom the mid(1&th century unti* their #ina* destruction +y the #orces o# -da No+unga in 1&>,

5sakura "oshikage )as recognized #or his a+i*ities #rom his youth' and in 13& )as

charged +y the +aku#u to sett*e a succession #eud +et)een t)o +ranches o# the Shi+a, Jsing this

as an o%%ortunity #or greater things' he +egan a career o# e7%ro%riating %ortions o# manors he*din 6chizen +y +oth re*igious institutions and the no+i*ity, "he Shi+a #ami*y:s rea* %o)er +egan to

#ade ra%id*y' and +y the end o# 13>1 5sakura )as a)arded )ith the governorshi% o# 6chizen' an

o##ice traditiona**y he*d +y the Shi+a, e then +ui*t a cast*e at $chijogatani' and the %rovince %ros%ered economica**y and cu*tura**y #or near*y 1 years, $chijogatani +ecame a thriving

mercanti*e center unti* its destruction in the )ars )ith -da No+unaga,

5sakura is considered to have +een ruth*ess and ty%ica* o# the gekokujo daimyo' those

*o)er c*ass )arriors )ho overthre) the u%%er c*ass no+i*ity, e )as certain*y very rea*istic and scorn#u* o# su%erstition, "he Seventeen 5rtic*es' )ritten in a heavi*y Sinicized sty*e' )ere

%ossi+*y com%i*ed a#ter his death' +ut are re%uted to re#*ect his ideas and tem%erament )e**,

"hey indicate a shar% %ractica*ity and rationa*ism' and there is very *itt*e o# the re*igious a+out

him, "he choice o# the num+er 1> is reminiscent o# the 1>(artic*e constitution o# Shotoku "aishi)ritten in the seventh century' and may hint at 5sakura:s as%irations #or his c*an and %ossi+*y

his o)n se*#(image in history,

The Se.enteen Artic!es of As*'r Toshi*$e

In t$ -i- o- t$ Asa+ura4 on s$ould not dtrmin $rditary c$i- rtainrs" A mans$ould b assi!nd accordin! to $is ability and loyalty"

On s$ould not ntrust a #osition and land to a man *$o $as no talnt4 )n i- $is -amily

$as $ld suc$ -or !nrations"

On s$ould #lac s#is in -i-s bot$ nar and -ar4 )n in tims o- #ac4 and s$ouldconstantly inuir into t$ir circumstancs"

On s$ould not b o)rly -ond o- -amous s*ords and da!!rs" For )n i- on $as as*ord )alud at 54 cas$4 $ *ill not o)rcom 5 mn carryin! s#ars )alud at 5 cas$"

T$r-or4 i- on $as 54 cas$ and buys 5 s#ars4 $a)in! 5 mn to carry t$m $ s$ould

b abl to #rotct an ntir -lan+"


45/88

On s$ould not b -ond o- cratin! a s#ctacl by #riodically in)itin! actors -rom t$

-our sc$ools o- Saru!a+u to com -rom %yoto" Wit$ t$ ,#ns t$at *ould in)ol)4 i- $ *ould

$a) a Saru!a+u actor o- talnt -rom our o*n -i- !o to larn in t$ ca#ital4 $ *ould b abl to$a) n1oymnt t$ra-tr"

It is #ro$ibitd to #r-orm No$ *it$in t$ castl !rounds at ni!$t"

On s$ould not4 sayin! t$at is -or t$ us o- a samurai4 snd mssn!rs to t$ Dat or

S$ira+a*a in sarc$ o- !ood $orss or $a*+s" It is di--rnt4 $o*)r4 i- on rci)s a !i-t -romanot$r #lac8 but t$at4 too4 s$ould b snt to anot$r clan *it$in t$r yars" I- on rtains

somt$in! -or a lon! tim4 it *ill in)itably brin! r!rt"

$# a man )ho serves indo*ent*y and a man )ho serves )e** are treated in the

same )ay' the man )ho serves )e** may +egin to )onder )hy he does so,

(!innin! *it$ t$ immdiat mmbrs o- t$ Asa+ura -amily4 all s$ould *ar clot$in!

mad o- cotton at t$ N*


46/88

o#inions" &oro)r4 t$ mastr s$ould also c$an! $is a##aranc a bit and ma+ suc$ an

ins#ction -or $imsl-"

It s$ould b strictly -orbiddn to construct in our #ro)inc any castl ot$r t$an t$ on3Ic$i1o!atani7 $ld by t$ Asa+ura -amily" All mn o- $i!$ ran+ s$ould b constantly maintaind

at Ic$i1o!atani4 and only t$ir r#rsntati)s and undrlin!s s$ould b #lacd in t$ir $om

aras"

W$n #assin! by s$rins and tm#ls or t$rou!$ )illa! strts4 -rom tim to tim ons$ould rin in $is $ors and #rais #lacs o- bauty or lamnt -or t$os t$at $a) !on to ruin" I-

$ *ill do so4 t$ 1oy o- t$ common #o#l at $a)in! bn s#o+n to by t$ mastr *ill +no* no

bounds4 and t$y ar li+ly to uic+ly r#air #lacs in nd and to b all t$ mor scru#ulous in

#lacs o- #r-ction" T$us4 ncoura!in! t$ #o#l *it$out ta+in! !rat --orts *ill b c$i-ly amattr o- t$ sin!l9minddnss o- t$ mastr"

W$n on is !i)in! dirct audinc to )arious r#orts4 $ s$ould not allo* t$ last bit o-

distortion in trms o- t$ir trut$ or -als$ood" I- $ $ars t$at an o--icial $as #ut $is o*n #ro-it to

t$ -or4 $ s$ould b strictly !i)n t$ #ro#r #unis$mnt"

On s$ould +# t$ abo) itms *ll in mind4 ,rt $imsl- in t$m day and ni!$t4 and

#ass t$m do*n to dscndant a-tr dscndant" In all t$in!s4 i- on is -irm -rom *it$in t$r *ill

b no )il mn to caus disturbancs -rom *it$out"

Postscript

W$n )arious r#orts ar bin! !i)n4 on s$ould not allo* t$ last bit o- distortion intrms o- t$ir trut$ or -als$ood" I- on $ars t$at an o--icial $as #ut $is o*n #ro-it to t$ -or4 $

s$ould b strictly ordrd to t$ #ro#r #unis$mnt" In all t$in!s4 i- on *ill scrutiniB t$

intrior and ta+ t$ #ro#r st#s -or it4 t$r *ill b no )il mn ntrin! -rom *it$out" For

ot$r clans *ill com to mddl i- on?s o*n sli#s$od conditions ar +no*n"Accordin! to a crtain #rist4 a mastr o- mn s$ould b li+ Fudo9o9myo and AiBn9o9

myo8 t$ rason bin! t$at Fudo9o9myo carris t$ s*ord and AiBn9o9myo carris t$ bo* and

arro*4 not to stri+ at man4 but solly -or t$ sub1u!ation o- )il4 -or t$y ar bot$ !ods o- d#innr com#assion"

&oro)r4 a lord o- mn *ill #rais t$ !ood and #unis$ t$ )il4 and s$ould 1ud!

corrctly bt*n trut$ and -als$ood4 and !ood and bad" Suc$ a t$in! can b calld t$ ta+in!

o- li- *it$ com#assion"

E)n i- on $as larnd all t$ sayin!s o- t$ sa!s and saints4 $ s$ould not insist ont$m obstinatly" In t$ Analcts o- 'on-ucius it is said4 I- a !ntlman is not solmn4 $ *ill

$a) no di!nity" (ut it *ould b a mista+ to undrstand t$is as manin! t$at on s$ould bsolmn all t$ tim" It is ncssary to b solmn or li!$t9$artd accordin! to t$ occasion"

T$r *ill b no )alu in t$s articls i- t$y ar sim#ly t$ou!$t o)r casually" A-tr I4 aman o- littl ran+4 un,#ctdly too+ control o- t$ #ro)inc4 I $a) #ut -ort$ !rat --ort bot$

day and ni!$t4 at on tim !at$rd to!t$r -amous mn o- all +inds4 listnd car-ully to *$at

t$y $ad to say4 and $a) continud in suc$ a *ay u# until t$is tim" I- on *ill b su--icintly #rudnt and $a) $is dscndants +# t$ articls *rittn in t$is boo+ and t$in+ o- t$m as t$

tac$in!s o- &aris$itn or 0ac$iman4 t$ nam o- t$ Asa+ura s$ould continu $a##ily" (ut in


47/88

t$ distant -utur4 i- our dscndants act only *it$ sl-9intrst4 it *ill crtainly b a mattr o-

r!rt"

Ima!a*a Ryos$un?s )rs:

/hen a %arent thinks o# his chi*d

/ith a heart o# sincerity' o) )i** he teach him

/ithout vaci**ation and dou+t


48/88

T0E TWENT


49/88

THE TWENT/0ONE PRECEPTS OF HO1O SOUN

0o1o Na!au1i35=;95C5/ A"D"7

ojo Nagauji )as a genera* o# the *ate .uromachi Period )ho' through marriage and a succession o# %o*itica* maneuvers' +ecame master o# the Suruga' $zu and Sagami Provinces, is

origins are o+scure' +ut he may have +een connected )ith the eiji o# $se' and #irst )ent +y the

name o# $se Skinkuro, ater he married o## his son' Jjitsuna' to a descendant o# the ancient ojo #ami*y and took their name #or his o)n' su%%osed*y #or the %restige it )ou*d render and %ossi+*y

to indicate his o)n %o*itica* intentions, is *ine is ca**ed the Go(ojo' or the ater oj,

5round 13>& ojo Nagauji came to Suruga and attached himse*# to the $maga)a c*an'*ater taking advantage o# a succession %ro+*em )ithin that c*an to +ecome master o# the

%rovince, $n 1391' under simi*ar circumstances' he )as a+*e to add $zu to his domainsA and

#ina**y in 139&' under the %retense o# hunting #or deer' he marched into Sagami' taking the cast*e

to)n o# -da)ara, From this %oint' Nagauji e7tended his attacks and eventua**y his domainsnorth)ard' #ighting successive*y )ith the Jesugi and other neigh+oring c*ans, 5t -da)ara he

+ui*t one o# the #irst great cast*e to)ns in 4a%an' attracting many samurai #rom other #ie#s +y its genera* %ros%erity and %eace, $n his *ater years he +ecame a %riest' taking the name Soun,

ike 5sakura "oshikage' ojo Soun has not received great %raise #rom historians due to

his some)hat cunning and ruth*ess methods in e7tending his domains, =et he )as admired +y

other daimyo as a good genera* and administrator, $n addition to attracting more samurai to-da)ara' he cut cro% ta7es #rom one(ha*# to t)o(#i#ths o# the harvest' and genera**y *ooked out

#or the )e*#are o# his %eo%*e,

"he ")enty(-ne Prece%ts )ere )ritten some time a#ter o#


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The T&ent-0One Precepts of Ho2o So'n

Abo) all4 bli) in t$ !ods and (udd$as"

In t$ mornin!4 ris as arly as #ossibl" Risin! lat4 on *ill $ n!li!nt as a sr)ant

and a $indranc to bot$ t$ mastr?s and on?s o*n businss8 and4 in t$ nd4 on *ill b-orsa+n by t$ mastr" Grat #rudnc s$ould b ta+n in t$is mattr"

On s$ould b soundly asl# at ni!$t b-or i!$t o?cloc+4 -or t$i)s ar most li+ly to

bra+ in bt*n midni!$t and t*o in t$ mornin!" 0a)in! uslss lon! con)rsation at ni!$t4

on *ill b asl# bt*n 5; and t*o4 $is mony *ill b ta+n4 and dama! *ill b don" T$is*ill not b !ood -or on?s r#utation"

On s$ould #ut a*ay t$ -ir*ood and lam# oil t$at *ould $ uslssly burnd a*ay

durin! t$ ni!$t4 and at -our in t$ mornin! ris and do $is ablutions and d)otions4 drss onsl-

#ro#rly4 ,#lain t$ day?s labors to $is *i- and rtainrs4 and !o to attnd $is *or+ b-or si,o?cloc+" Accordin! to an old #ro)rb4 on s$ould rtir by midni!$t and ris by -our in t$

mornin!4 but t$is is u# to t$ indi)idual" Risin! by -our o?cloc+ *ould b bn-icial -or anyon4$o*)r" Stayin! in bd until i!$t or tn in t$ mornin!4 on *ill com#lt nit$r $is *or+ -ort$ mastr nor $is o*n #ri)at businss4 and t$ o##ortunity o- t$ day *ill b *astd -or no

rason at all"

(-or *as$in! on?s -ac and $ands in t$ mornin!4 on s$ould -irst c$c+ t$ la)atory4

t$ stabls4 and outsid t$ !at8 instruct t$ a##ro#riat #o#l concrnin! t$ #lacs ndin!clanin!4 and t$n uic+ly *as$ $imsl-"

On s$ould not assum t$at *atr is #lnti-ul4 and carlssly *as$ $is mout$ out and

t$ro* it a*ay" Furt$rmor4 on s$ould do t$is uitly and not assum t$at4 as $ is in $is o*n

$om4 $ can !o about !ar!lin! and s#ittin! loudly4 -or t$is is actin! *it$out rsr) to*ard

ot$rs and is un#lasant to $ar" T$r is a sayin! t$at !os4 Wal+ stalt$ily *$r still undrt$ arc$ o- $a)n"?

Consider that )hich e7ists to e7ist and that )hich does not e7ist to not e7ist' and

recognize things just as they are, /ith such a #rame o# mind' one )i** have divine

%rotection even though he does not %ray,

To *ors$i# t$ !ods and (udd$as is t$ corrct conduct -or a man" It can b said t$at on

*ill b in con-ormity *it$ t$ -lin!s o- t$ !ods and (udd$as i- $ *ill sim#ly ma+ $is $artstrai!$t9-or*ard and calm4 rs#ct $onstly and *$ol$artdly t$os abo) $im and $a) #ity

on t$os blo*4 considr t$at *$ic$ ,ists to ,ist and t$at *$ic$ dos not ,ist to not ,ist4 and

rco!niB t$in!s 1ust as t$y ar" Wit$ suc$ a -ram o- mind4 on *ill $a) di)in #rotction)n t$ou!$ $ dos not #ray" (ut i- $is mind is not strai!$t4 $ $ad bst b #rudnt lst it b said

t$at $ $as bn abandond by 0a)n4 #rayr-ul or not"

It *ill not do to t$in+ t$at on must $a) s*ords and clot$in! as -in as )ryon ls?s"

It is su--icint to intnd not to b unsi!$tly" (orro*in! and s+in! a-tr t$in!s on dosn?t $a)4and #ilin! u# dbts4 on *ill b scornd by ot$rs"


51/88

E)n *$n on is t$in+in! o- stayin! $om all day du to illnss or #ri)at businss4 $

s$ould uic+ly arran! $is $air" T$is !os *it$out sayin! *$n $ is !oin! out to $is

rs#onsibilitis" To ,#os #o#l to on?s slo##y a##aranc is bot$ im#olit and incom#tnt"I- a #rson $imsl- is n!li!nt concrnin! t$s mattrs4 $is rtainrs4 too4 ar li+ly to -ollo* in

a similar mannr" &oro)r4 *$n on?s comrads com to )isit4 it *ill b unsi!$tly i- all t$

mmbrs o- on?s $ous$old ar in disarray"W$n on is #r-ormin! $is dutis4 $ s$ould not 1ust sim#ly a##ar b-or t$ mastr"

0 s$ould *ait -or a momnt in t$ n,t room4 c$c+ $is colla!us? a##arancs4 and t$n !o in

to audinc" I- it is not don t$is *ay4 $is --ort *ill li+ly b in )ain"

W$n on $as bn addrssd by t$ mastr4 )n t$ou!$ $ is satd at a distanc $

s$ould uic+ly ans*r4


52/88

#lay !o4 c$ss4 and s$a+u$ac$i" T$r is no s$am in not +no*in! t$s lattr amusmnts"

Indd4 t$y ar mattrs to b ta+n u# only in t$ stad o- *astin! on?s tim com#ltly"

A #rson?s !ood and )il ar d#ndnt on $is com#anions" W$n t$r #o#l arto!t$r t$r *ill al*ays b an ,m#lary #rson amon! t$m4 and on s$ould c$oos t$ !ood

#rson and -ollo* $is ,am#l" Loo+in! at t$ bad #rson4 on s$ould corrct $is o*n mista+s"

W$n on $as som s#ar tim and rturns to $is $om4 $ s$ould *al+ around t$

stabls and rar aras mndin! t$ *alls and -ncs and -illin! t$ #lacs *$r t$ do!s $a) bn di!!in!" I!norant maids and t$ li+ *ill #ull t$ la)s undr t$ a)s and burn t$m4

doin! only *$at is ndd -or t$ #rsnt4 but *ill not +no* *$at to do a-tr t$at" On s$ould

$a) a d# undrstandin! t$at all t$in!s ar li+ t$is"

At si, o?cloc+ in t$ )nin! on s$ould clos $is !at ti!$tly and not o#n it a!ain,c#t to lt #o#l in and out" Not to do so is n!li!nc4 and *ill in)itably in)it disastr"

At ni!$t4 on s$ould !o about $imsl- c$c+in! t$ -irs in t$ +itc$n and li)in! room4

and ma+ -irm instructions concrnin! t$m" Ot$r t$an t$at4 $ s$ould ma+ instructions ni!$tly

in ordr to -orm $abits in caution a!ainst s#radin! -irs" Womn o- bot$ $i!$ and lo* ran+s$a) no -lin!s -or suc$ t$in!s4 and *ill la) $ous$old !oods and clot$in! s#rad around4 and

b !ratly n!li!nt" On s$ould not t$in+ $ can $ir ot$rs and $a) t$m do )ryt$in!4 but

rat$r $ s$ould b o- t$ mind to rly on $imsl- and to +no* t$ condition o- t$in!s" Only t$n

s$ould $ dl!at to ot$rs"

It is $ardly ncssary to rcord t$at bot$ larnin! and t$ military arts ar t$ Way o- t$

Warrior4 -or it is an ancint la* t$at on s$ould $a) larnin! on t$ l-t and t$ martial arts on

t$ ri!$t" (ut t$is is somt$in! t$at *ill not b obtainabl i- on $as not #r#ard -or it

b-or$and"


53/88

T0E RE'ORDED WORDS OF

ASA%RA SOTE%I

“! general of great merit should be said to be a man who has met with at

least one great defeat.”


54/88

THE RECORDED WORDS OF ASAKURA SOTEKI

Asa+ura Nori+a!35=2=95CCC A"D"7

5sakura Norikage )as the mainstay o# the 5sakura c*an during the di##icu*t years o# the $kko sect u%risings in 6chizen and continued insta+i*ity in the near+y area o# the ca%ita*, "hough

never a daimyo himse*#' he )as advisor to three generations o# 5sakura chie#tains and s%ent

most o# his *i#e in mi*itary cam%aigns, $n 1&38 he shaved his head and +ecame a %riest' takingthe name o# Soteki, Neither the years nor re*igion deterred him #rom his occu%ation' ho)ever' #or

at the age o# >9 he marched )ith his army to the %rovince o# Kaga #or )hat )as to +e his *ast

cam%aign against the $kko adherents, -n Se%tem+er 8 o# that year' he died in cam% o# natura*

causes,

"he Soteki /aki is a co**ection o# his sayings' )ritten do)n +y a c*ose retainer a #e)

years +e#ore his death, $t consists o# 8 %rece%ts or anecdotes and is )ritten in a kanamajiri

sty*e, $n this record )e can see the *egacy o# 5sakura:s %ractica*ity and vision, "he idea*ism o#

#ormer and *ater ages is *acking here' #or 0though a )arrior +e ca**ed a dog' or a +east' )hat is+asic #or him is to )in, $n this connection' 5sa*eura stressed the mutua* #ates o# master and

retainer' and thus the need #or harmonious re*ations +et)een them, 5*most a** o# the %rece%ts

here %oint to success on the +att*e#ie*d in one )ay or another' )hether out)ard*y concerned )ithmora*ity or #eeding one:s horse' and c*ear*y re#*ect an active genera*:s concerns and e7%eriences,

The Recor"e" Wor"s of As*'r Sote*i

It is a -ailur on t$ #art o- a !nral to -orcibly snd $is troo#s to attac+ a castl4 *$t$r

on mountain or -latland" T$is *ould b sndin! $is )aluabl troo#s to di b-or $is )ry ys"T$is mattr coms -irst in a !nral?s considrations"

In connction *it$ military mattrs4 on must n)r say t$at somt$in! can absolutly not

b don" (y t$is4 t$ limitations o- on?s $art *ill b ,#osd"

In attac+in! nmy9$ld !round4 on s$ould n)r assum t$at $is o##onnts *ill not

$old t$ir o*n" I-4 in suc$ an attac+4 t$ nmy sti--ly rsistd4 on?s ntir -orcs *ould bdis$artnd"

From tim to tim a man s$ould soa+ $ard soy bans in *atr4 and -d t$m to $is $ors"

T$r *ill b no #ots or #ans -or suc$ t$in!s on t$ battl-ild"

No mattr $o* lac+in! a man may b in $umanity4 i- $ *ould b a *arrior4 $ s$ould

-irst o- all tll no lis" It is also basic t$at $ b not t$ last bit sus#icious4 t$at $ $abitually

stand on int!rity4 and t$at $ +no* a sns o- s$am" T$ rason bin! t$at *$n a man *$o$as -ormrly told lis and actd sus#iciously #artici#ats in som !rat )nt4 $ *ill b #ointd

at b$ind $is bac+ and nit$r $is allis nor $is nmis *ill bli) in $im4 r!ardlss o- $o*rasonabl $is *ords may b" On s$ould b )ry #rudnt about t$is"

Durin! any military a--air4 no mattr $o* im#ortant t$ )nt may b4 *$n somt$in! is

communicatd by *ord o- mout$4 t$ last bit o- )a!unss *ill in)it !ri)ous rsults"


55/88

A -* yars #ast4 at t$ battl o- &inato!a*a in %a!a4 t$r *r mor t$an C $ads

ta+n" From t$s4 t$ $ads o- )ry youn! mn *r s#aratd4 rci)rs -rom t$ nmy

bc+ond4 and t$ $ads rturnd uic+ly" In t$ -i!$t bt*n -oot soldirs #r)ious to t$at4$o*)r4 no suc$ t$in! *as don"

At t$ tim o- a !rat battl or distrssin! rtrat4 t$ nmy may snd out troo#s to

,acrbat a !nral in )arious *ays in ordr to 1ud! $is #rsnt -lin!s" 0 s$ould not s$o*t$ last bit o- *a+nss4 $o*)r4 or lt out a sin!l *ord" On s$ould b car-ul about t$is andnot b n!li!nt"

T$ou!$ a *arrior may b calld a do! or bast4 *$at is basic -or $im is to *in"

A man *$o +#s a considrabl numbr o- rtainrsand t$is !os *it$out sayin! -or a

!nrals$ould -irst o- all $a) t$ rli!ious and $abitual a*arnss to #ro)id -or $is mn*ll" Es#cially -or mn *$o $a) bn lon! in sr)ic4 but also -or t$os *$o ar n* or

#rsntly m#loyd4 i- t$r is a rtainr *$o $as did in t$ midst o- duti-ul sr)ic and la)s

b$ind a youn! c$ild4 t$ mastr s$ould trat t$at c$ild *it$ !rat car4 dalin! *it$ it +indly in a

*ay t$at it *ill b abl to bcom an adult" W$n a samurai by c$anc $as no natural $ir4 i- t$

mastr *ill ncoura! $im to ta+ on a -ittin! ado#td c$ild *$il $ and $is *i- ar yt$alt$y4 and ad)is $im in a *ay t$at $is -amily lin *ill not run out4 )n a c$ildlss man *ill

-l rassurd and !rat-ul4 and *ill not $old bac+ $is li- -or $is mastr" I- a man *ill +indly dosuc$ t$in!s4 t$os undr $im *ill -l !ratly blssd4 and t$os *$o $ar and s t$s t$in!s

*ill t$in+ o- $im as rliabl" T$os undr $is command *ill naturally sr) $im *it$ !rat

loyalty4 as *ill t$os o- ot$r clans4 and $ *ill $a) many rliabl rtainrs"

A mastr *ill incur t$ #unis$mnt in-lictd on $is rtainrs4 and $is rtainrs *ill incurt$at in-lictd on t$ir mastr" &astr and rtainr to!t$r s$ould not b n!li!nt"

A mastr s$ould not unrasonably ma+ rusts -or t$ #ossssion o- $is rtainrs4 suc$

as t$ir $orss and -alcons4 or t$ir s*ords4 $albrds4 #aintin!s or '$ins !oods" Gnrally

s#a+in!4 -or rtainrs to #ossss )aluabl articls is t$ sam as i- t$ mastr $imsl- #os

Documents

Ideals of the Samurai