Hagakure: Hidden Fury (III)
Selections from the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and the 10th Chapter
Young men should discipline themselves rigorously in intention and courage. This will be accomplished if only courage is fixed in one’s heart. If one’s sword is broken, he will strike with his hands. If his hands are cut off, he will press the enemy down with his shoulders. If his shoulders are cut away, he will bite through ten or fifteen enemy necks with his teeth. Courage is such a thing.
—Yamamoto Tsunetomo, Hagakure, from the 7th Chapter (transl. by W.S. Wilson, ed. 2012)
Chapters 3 and 4 are omitted because there were no furyan selections there. Chapter 5 because translator William Scott Wilson omitted it from the final selection (he culled from the original 1300+, to a mere 300-ish; some were pertaining to festivities, birthdays, and dates less of importance to a modern public and reader).
From the 6th Chapter
The monk pursues courage with the warrior as his model, and the warrior pursues the compassion of the monk.
From the 7th Chapter
In rainy weather he would simply wear a bamboo hat and an oilpaper raincoat and would stand watch while being pelted by the rain. It is said that to the end he never spent a single night in negligence.
A man’s life should be as toilsome as possible.
From the 8th Chapter
“A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man.”
Long ago people spoke in this fashion because they were only concerned with a man’s attitude towards military matters and considrered that a man who was “correct” would never do great works.
From the 9th Chapter
THERE IS NO FAULT IN THE TIMES.1
From the 10th Chapter
According to what one of the elders said, taking an enemy on the battlefield is like a hawk taking a bird. Even though it enters into the midst of a thousand of them, it gives no attention to any bird other than the one that it has first marked.
Moreover, what is called a kezuke no kubi (the head that one has put his hand on) is a head that one has taken after having made the declaration, “I will take that warrior wearing such and such armor.”
When there is something to be said, it is better if it is said right away. If it is said later, it will sound like an excuse. Moreover, it is occasionally good to really overwhelm your opponent. Also, in addition to having spoken sufficiently, it is the highest sort of victory to teach your opponent something that will be to his benefit. This is in accordance with the Way.
If in one’s heart
He follows the path of sincerity
Though he does not pray,
Will not the gods protect him?
As everything in the world is but a sham,
Death is the only sincerity.
Further Hidden Fury Selections:
See “The Spirit of an Age” selection in Hidden Fury (II).