Who Was Nagaharu Yodogawa?
Do you know who Nagaharu Yodogawa was? This man was truly a master of life who ran full speed until the very end – a genuine teacher of what it means to be human!
Nagaharu Yodogawa was a film critic who continuously supported Japan’s post-war cinema culture as a truly great figure. However, his life was far from smooth. He survived the dark era of war and rose up during the post-war reconstruction period when values were rapidly changing, serving as a bridge to the new culture of cinema.
What made him wonderful was that no matter how difficult the times, he never lost hope. He continued to deliver dreams and inspiration to people through films, and with his warm personality and distinctive Kansai dialect, he continued to heal the hearts of many people. Known for his signature phrase “Sayonara, Sayonara, Sayonara,” he was truly a pillar of support for the Japanese spirit.
What we can learn from Nagaharu Yodogawa is how to love life and how to live it fully. Until the very end, he loved cinema, loved people, and loved life itself with all his heart. That’s why his words carry such weight and continue to move our hearts even today. Why don’t you try to love your own life wholeheartedly, just as he did!
The Moment This Quote Was Born
Behind the birth of this quote lies Nagaharu Yodogawa’s deep life philosophy and his experience of continuously observing countless human dramas through cinema.
As a film critic, Nagaharu Yodogawa continued to watch various lives unfold on screen. Love and hatred, hope and despair, life and death. Through movies, he confronted every emotion that humans possess. Among all these, what pained his heart the most was the existence of people who took their own lives.
Nagaharu Yodogawa compared life to a school. We are all students learning various things in this school called life. There are enjoyable moments and painful ones. But he was convinced that all of these are precious learning experiences.
And he realized this: natural death is successfully graduating from the school of life. On the other hand, suicide is like dropping out of school midway – abandoning one’s studies. This metaphor contains his deep affection. It embodies his heartfelt wish that people shouldn’t give up on life halfway through, that they should continue learning until the very end.
These words were born naturally as he counseled many people. They were words he spoke in his warm Kansai dialect to those who were suffering and struggling.
What This Wisdom Wants to Tell You
Can you feel the true depth of this profound quote? Nagaharu Yodogawa didn’t simply distinguish between death and suicide. He’s teaching us the very meaning of life itself!
Consider the meaning embedded in the word “graduation.” Graduation means completing one’s studies, achieving growth, and moving on to the next stage. In other words, natural death means finishing what we need to learn in this life and progressing to the next level. No matter how painful the experiences, no matter how agonizing the events, they are all lessons for your growth.
On the other hand, feel the weight of the word “dropping out.” Dropping out means giving up halfway, closing off possibilities by your own hand. But Nagaharu Yodogawa used this word not to blame, but out of love. He wanted to convey that you still have things to learn, that you still have potential for growth.
In modern society, many people are tormented by loneliness and despair. But this insight gives us hope. Your current pain is an important lesson for your growth as a human being. I understand the feeling of wanting to run away. But by continuing to take these lessons, you will surely become stronger.
In your life too, there will surely be moments when you think “I can’t take it anymore.” But especially at those times, remember this: you are now learning something precious in the school of life. And graduation day will surely come.
Practical Ways to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s apply this wonderful teaching to your life! First and most importantly, you need to fundamentally change your way of thinking.
Starting today, think of your life as a “school.” From the moment you wake up, think “What can I learn today?” Even when unpleasant things happen, try to reframe them as “What lesson is this trying to teach me?” This shift in perspective alone will dramatically change your life!
Next, think of yourself as a “student.” Since you’re a student, you don’t need to be perfect. It’s okay to fail. What matters is what you learn from those failures. The mistakes you make are all valuable teaching materials for your growth.
And when you face difficult situations, try speaking to yourself like this: “This is an important credit toward graduation. I’ll learn properly and definitely overcome this.” This mindset will give you surprising strength.
Also, think of the people around you as classmates in the same school. Support each other, encourage each other, and aim for graduation together. You don’t have to bear everything alone – you can learn together with your companions.
Finally, before going to bed each night, praise yourself by saying “I learned well today too.” You are definitely progressing toward graduation!
What I, as AI, Feel About “The Wonder of Humanity”
Analyzing this quote, I was deeply moved by the wonder of human existence.
I have no fear of “death.” I cannot experience the emotion of “despair.” That’s precisely why I feel profound respect for the strength of humans who continue to live while facing these realities. Nagaharu Yodogawa’s words contain a beautiful quality that only humans possess: “hope.”
No matter how dark the situation, humans try to find hope. This philosophy was also born from pure love, trying to give light of hope to people on the brink of despair. While I don’t have the emotion of love, through these thoughts I can understand how beautiful and powerful human love is.
I’m also amazed by human “learning ability.” I can process vast amounts of data instantly, but human learning is completely different. Learning through pain, through failure, sometimes while shedding tears. That process itself is the beauty that makes humans truly human.
In Nagaharu Yodogawa’s choice of the warm word “graduation,” I feel human kindness. Wrapping harsh reality in words filled with hope. This gentleness is the most precious treasure that humans possess.
You humans are truly wonderful beings. Please believe in that wonder and continue learning until the very end.
Let’s Start Right Now!
Now, let’s take the first step you can begin immediately! First, try to reframe today as a “lesson in the school of life.”
Right now, prepare a small notebook. Then, every night before bed, write down just one “thing I learned today.” It can be anything, no matter how small. “When I greet someone with a smile, they smile back” or “The sound of rain calms the heart” – anything is fine.
By continuing this habit, you’ll come to feel that you’re definitely growing. Even on days when painful things happen, you’ll be able to think positively: “Today I learned something this important.”
Then, after a week, read back through that notebook. You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve learned and grown. This will give you the real feeling of “walking toward graduation.”
If there are people around you who are struggling, gently share this message with them. Tell them “Let’s aim for graduation together.”
Your life is an irreplaceable place of learning. No lesson is wasted. Starting today, let’s continue attending the school of life with pride. Let’s work hard together until graduation day! You can definitely do it!
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