How to Read “First push, second money, third man”
Ichioshi nikane san’otoko
Meaning of “First push, second money, third man”
“First push, second money, third man” is a proverb that ranks the elements needed to win in sumo wrestling by order of importance.
It teaches that pushing technique comes first, body size and weight second, and fighting spirit and mental strength third.
This proverb is used in sumo training and instruction. It teaches beginners the right priorities when they rely too much on mental strength alone.
It also corrects those who think talent alone will bring victory. The saying shows a logical training order: first master basic pushing techniques, then build your body, and finally strengthen your spirit.
This teaching still lives in the sumo world today. No matter how much fighting spirit you have, you cannot win without basic technique and proper physique.
The proverb expresses this harsh reality clearly. It is not idealistic theory but practical wisdom born from experience, still passed down to sumo wrestlers today.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb has been passed down in the sumo world since ancient times. It shows the elements needed to win in sumo by priority order.
It has been spoken as “first in push, second in money, third in man.”
The most important is “push,” meaning the technique of pushing your opponent. This is the most basic fundamental of sumo.
No matter what physique or talent you have, you cannot win in the ring without pushing power.
Next comes “money,” which is thought to mean physique and body weight. Having weight makes you harder to push and gives you an advantage in battle.
Third is “man,” which refers to manliness, fighting spirit, and mental strength.
The order is fascinating. Placing technique and physique above mental strength shows the practical wisdom of sumo as a sport.
No matter how much fighting spirit you have, you cannot win without basic technique and physical conditions. This shows the harsh reality.
No clear records show when this proverb began being used. However, it was likely passed down among wrestlers during the Edo period when sumo became an established profession.
It is a convincing teaching born from actual combat experience.
Interesting Facts
The “push,” a basic sumo technique, is more advanced than it looks. You don’t just push with brute force.
You must lower your hips, be conscious of your footwork, and push to upset your opponent’s center of gravity. Mastering this technique requires years of training.
Using “money” to refer to physique may relate to Edo period sumo. Heavier wrestlers had higher value and were more popular in entertainment.
Heavyweight wrestlers were impressive to watch and attracted audiences.
Usage Examples
- Teaching new disciples in the order of first push, second money, third man is this stable’s tradition
- You can’t win on fighting spirit alone—remember first push, second money, third man
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “First push, second money, third man” contains an essential truth about human achievement.
It offers a harsh but realistic insight: passion and mental strength alone are not enough.
We often think “you can do anything if you just try hard enough.” Mental strength is certainly important.
But this proverb teaches that there are things you must acquire first. Technical skill as a foundation, and physical conditions as a base.
Why this order? Because technique improves with learning, and physique changes with training.
On the other hand, relying only on mental strength makes you spin your wheels without a foundation. Our ancestors noticed the importance of this sequence through many failures and successes.
This teaching has been passed down because it shows a universal truth: human growth requires the right order.
In any field, people who skip basics and try to get by on mental strength alone will fail. Those who steadily polish their technique, prepare conditions, and then apply mental strength will surely produce results.
This proverb doesn’t deny the importance of chasing dreams. Rather, it shows us a realistic path to making dreams come true.
When AI Hears This
Viewing this proverb as an incomplete information game reveals surprising mathematical rationality.
In poker, you cannot see opponents’ cards, so players infer information from expressions and betting patterns. Similarly, in negotiations where you cannot see opponents’ true intentions, a three-stage information gathering strategy becomes optimal.
First, push—take an aggressive stance. This is a “probe” to observe the opponent’s reaction.
Game theory calls such actions “signaling.” Whether the opponent quickly folds or strongly resists partially reveals hidden information about their seriousness. The cost is nearly zero, but the information value is high.
Next, use money. This explores the opponent’s interest structure. Their response speed to monetary incentives measures their urgency and priorities.
Finally, man—deploy human resources. Human relationships cost the most and cannot be undone once used.
What’s interesting is that this order optimally reduces information uncertainty step by step.
“Sequential rationality” is built in—using information gained at each stage for the next decision. Humans were practicing the statistical principle of Bayesian updating through experience.
Estimating the invisible variable of opponent psychology with minimum cost and maximum efficiency. This proverb is a crystallization of information theory that people discovered intuitively centuries ago.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches modern people that achieving goals requires the right order.
When we challenge something, we tend to rush into mental strength thinking “I can do it if I try hard.” But what we really need first is to acquire basic skills.
The same applies to work and study. Before charging ahead on passion alone, have you mastered the basic skills of that field?
Have you prepared the necessary conditions? This proverb asks us these questions.
Modern society often demands immediate results, tempting us to skip basics and jump to applications.
But to produce results reliably, steadily building foundations matters most.
If you’re challenging something now, stop and think. Is your technique sufficient? Are conditions prepared?
If you then apply mental strength, the path will surely open. Don’t rush. Progress step by step in the right order.
That is the sure path to success our ancestors taught us.
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