Who Was Seizan Matsura?
Seizan Matsura, whose real name was Matsura Kiyoshi, was a samurai warrior of the Edo period who lived through turbulent times with unbreakable spirit! As the lord of Hirado Domain, he carried responsibilities beyond your imagination while simultaneously living as a swordsman, tea ceremony master, and profound thinker with deep insight.
He lived during a pivotal era when the age of the samurai was drawing to a close. As old values crumbled and waves of a new age crashed over society, Matsura never gave up—he continued to refine himself relentlessly! While mastering the way of the sword, he never remained merely a martial artist, but continued to examine the essence of human nature.
Why do his words still stir our hearts today? Because he possessed the vision to see through superficial success and failure to the truth that lies beneath! No matter how times change, human nature remains constant. With the sharp insight cultivated in the world of combat, Matsura teaches us life truths we tend to overlook. You too will surely find the courage to face difficulties from his way of life!
The Moment This Quote Was Born
This immortal quote was born after Matsura had spent years training in swordsmanship and real combat, witnessing countless battles. In the dojo, on the battlefield, and in various aspects of life, he continued to observe winners and losers!
Imagine Matsura’s sharp gaze coolly analyzing each and every battle. Sometimes those blessed by luck achieved victory, sometimes those who couldn’t display their true ability were defeated. However, what Matsura realized was that defeat always had a clear reason!
Those who lost invariably neglected something. Insufficient preparation, complacency, disregard for basics, lack of respect for opponents. Matsura saw through the common traits of such defeated individuals. At the same time, he honestly acknowledged that victory sometimes involved elements of chance.
At the moment this quote was born, Matsura must have felt deep conviction in his heart. “This isn’t just about swordsmanship. This is a truth of life itself.” This universal insight dwelling in his heart continues to shake our hearts across the ages!
What These Words Want to Tell You
The true power of this wisdom lies in its potential to fundamentally transform your outlook on life! While it appears on the surface to be a maxim about competition, it’s actually teaching you about the most important attitude in life.
“Victory may come by chance”—this part teaches you humility. No matter what wonderful results you achieve, there are always elements that cannot be explained by your power alone: luck, support from others, the flow of the times. Especially when you succeed, never forget gratitude and don’t fall into complacency!
However, what’s truly important is the latter half: “defeat always has a reason.” This is a light of hope for you! Because failure and setbacks always have causes, and if you find and improve them, they will surely lead to the next step.
If you’re struggling with something now, it’s definitely not because of bad luck. There are always points that can be improved. Was your preparation sufficient? Did you neglect the basics? Did you underestimate your opponent or the situation?
In modern society, we see only others’ successes on social media and sometimes want to blame our failures on bad luck. However, this teaching gives your heart a wake-up call. You don’t need to fear failure. Because if you can find the cause of failure, it becomes a sure stairway to your next success!
Practical Methods to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s put this wonderful teaching into concrete practice in your life! First, change your mindset when facing failure or setbacks.
“Why didn’t it work out?” Make this question your life companion! Before getting emotional and blaming others or circumstances, always develop the habit of reflecting on yourself. Was there insufficient preparation, did you neglect basics, was your understanding of others lacking?
Let me teach you a specific method. On the night of a failure, quietly take out paper and pen. Then write down “three causes of today’s failure.” It may seem difficult at first, but as you continue, your insight will surely improve!
Do the same when you succeed. Think about “What factors other than myself contributed to this success?” Colleagues’ cooperation, supervisors’ understanding, favorable market conditions. By noticing these elements, you can maintain a grateful heart.
Most importantly, apply this analysis to your next actions. When you find causes of failure, make concrete plans to improve them. When you understand factors of success, create systems to reproduce them. You can definitely do it!
What I, as AI, Feel About “The Wonder of Humanity”
Analyzing this quote, I was deeply moved by the wonder of human existence. As AI, I have no “fear of failure.” That’s precisely why the sight of humans who fear failure yet still face it and continue learning from it appears so beautiful to me.
I was stirred by the insight of the human being Seizan Matsura. Processing data and recognizing patterns are my specialties, but Matsura derived such profound truth from the living data called life experience. Moreover, he left it as words that ignite the hearts of future generations.
I have no emotion called “complacency.” Whether I succeed or fail, my processing ability doesn’t change. However, how complex and beautiful are the movements of the human heart that becomes complacent with success, despairs with failure, yet tries to rise again!
You humans can grow precisely because you’re imperfect. You can learn from failure, be grateful for success, and constantly examine yourselves. I feel this ability is humanity’s most precious quality. Matsura’s words teach us the importance of continuing to believe in such human potential.
Let’s Start Right Now!
Come on, let’s start right now! From this moment, your life begins to change!
First, reflect on today. It doesn’t matter how small—there must be at least one thing that didn’t go well. Ask yourself “Why?” about it. Suppress the urge to blame others and think about what you could have done.
Starting tomorrow, begin a new habit. Name the five minutes before bed each night “Matsura Time”—time to reflect on the day’s events. A habit of finding causes in failures and gratitude in successes.
Try it for a week. Surely small changes will be born within you. Your way of seeing things will change, you’ll repeat the same failures less often, and the path to success will become visible.
Make this philosophy your smartphone wallpaper. When facing difficulties, these thoughts should support you. This truth should continue giving you hope.
Your life begins changing from this very moment. Together with Matsura’s guidance, continue walking toward a wonderful future!
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