Excerpts from The Hagakure: A Code to the Way of the Samurai, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Hokuseido Press, 1980)
Think
Not Yourself as EstablishedA man who thinks he is already established is unwise; a man content with fixed views won through considerable effort has already fallen into a trap. ... Without a moment of self-content with what little one has found out, one should keep thinking his accomplished results as being still unsatisfactory and not good enough, exploring the right way to the attainment through one's whole life. Truth lies in no place but in this course of pursuit itself.
Appearances
One's appearance bespeaks dignity corresponding to the depth of his character. One's concentrated effort, serene attitude, taciturn air, courteous disposition, thoroughly polite bearing, gritted teeth with a piercing look--each of these reveals dignity. Such outward appearance, in short, comes from constant attentiveness and seriousness.
Move
Heaven and EarthNothing is impossible in this world. Firm determination, it is said, can move heaven and earth. Things appear far beyond one's power, because one cannot set his heart on any arduous project due to want of strong will. It is all up to one's mental attitude to be able to "move even heaven and earth without exerting one's strength."
Fear not the RainOne must know the so-called "lesson of a downpour." A man, caught in a sudden rain en route, dashes along the road not to get wet or drenched. Once one takes it for granted that in rain he naturally gets wet, he can be in a tranquil frame of mind even when soaked to the skin. This lesson applies to everything.
Know the Meaning of Bushido
To know the Meaning ofBushido [the samurai code of conduct], I have found out, is to know death. When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation. There is nothing particularly difficult about it; one has only to be resolved and push forward. ...If one, through being prepared for death every morning and evening, expects death any moment, bushido will become his own, whereby he shall be able to serve his Master all his life, through and through with not a blunder.
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