How to Read “The Teaching of Three Arrows”
Sanshi no oshie
Meaning of “The Teaching of Three Arrows”
“The Teaching of Three Arrows” is a proverb that means people become strong through unity, even if they are weak individually.
It uses a concrete example: one arrow breaks easily, but three arrows bundled together are very difficult to break. This teaches the importance of cooperation.
This proverb is used when teaching families, organizations, or teams that they can achieve great power through unity, even if individual strength is small.
It works especially well when explaining the need for unity during times of conflict, division, or when facing difficult challenges.
Today, people still use this saying to convey the importance of cooperation in sports teams, business organizations, and local communities.
Origin and Etymology
This teaching is widely known as a story left by Mori Motonari, a warlord from Japan’s Warring States period, to his three sons.
Motonari gathered his sons Takamoto, Motoharu, and Takakage before him. He had them break one arrow, which snapped easily.
Then he asked them to break three arrows bundled together. No matter how hard they tried, they could not break the bundle.
Through this demonstration, Motonari showed his sons that while one person is weak, three people working together become a powerful force. He taught them the importance of brotherhood and unity.
This story is sometimes linked to a document called “Sanshi Kyokun-jo,” but historians are not certain it is an actual historical record.
It is likely a moral tale that spread in later generations. However, the Mori family did actually become rulers of the Chugoku region through the unity of the three brothers.
This historical fact gives the story credibility. The visual and easy-to-understand example of bundling arrows has been passed down through the ages as a teaching tool about the value of unity.
Interesting Facts
Similar teachings actually exist all around the world. Aesop’s Fables from ancient Greece includes “The Old Man and His Sons,” which tells about breaking a bundle of sticks.
Mongolia also has a similar story about arrows. This shows that humanity has universally recognized the truth of “the power of unity” and expressed it through physical examples.
Mori Motonari’s three sons actually practiced this teaching. Even after the eldest son Takamoto died young, the second son Motoharu and third son Takakage maintained a strong cooperative relationship.
They contributed to expanding the Mori family’s power. This historical fact further strengthens the persuasiveness of the teaching.
Usage Examples
- Before the tournament, our club advisor mentioned “The Teaching of Three Arrows” and talked about the importance of teamwork
- A father told his sons who would inherit the family business about “The Teaching of Three Arrows” and urged them to cooperate with each other
Universal Wisdom
“The Teaching of Three Arrows” has been passed down through the ages because it acknowledges that humans are fundamentally weak beings.
We have limits when alone, and we are fragile enough to break sometimes. However, this teaching does not shame weakness.
Instead, it accepts weakness as a given and explains that unity is necessary precisely because of it.
In human society, individual ability always has limits. No matter how excellent someone is, there are limits to what one person can do alone.
However, people can create power that exceeds individual limits through cooperation. This teaching shows the truth that compensating for each other’s weaknesses is the source of human strength.
Also, this teaching contains deep love for family and companions. What Mori Motonari wanted to convey to his sons was not just strategy.
It was the preciousness of supporting and protecting each other. People can face difficulties they could not endure alone when they are with others.
Loneliness weakens people, but bonds make people strong.
This universal wisdom holds even deeper meaning in today’s competitive society. Because we live in an era that emphasizes individualism, we need to reconsider the value of unity.
When AI Hears This
When breaking one arrow, the required force is proportional to the arrow’s cross-sectional area.
So does bundling three arrows mean they break with three times the force? Actually, they become much stronger. This is where materials engineering gets interesting.
When bending force is applied to bundled arrows, the outer arrows receive stress first. However, friction force works at the contact points between arrows, so this stress disperses to the other arrows.
In other words, the load does not concentrate on just one arrow. More importantly, when you try to bend them, the arrows push against each other, and this compression force increases the friction coefficient.
The friction coefficient between wood pieces is about 0.4 to 0.6, so the lateral force created by bundling significantly delays destruction.
Another point not to overlook is energy absorption. When one arrow breaks, it releases the stored elastic energy all at once and is destroyed.
However, when three are bundled, even if one reaches its limit, the other two continue supporting it, and the destruction energy disperses over time.
This is the same principle as modern bulletproof vests absorbing impact with multiple fiber layers.
Experimental data shows that the breaking strength of three bundled arrows is not simply three times greater. Depending on conditions, it can be five to seven times stronger.
Mori Motonari understood the essence of composite material mechanics without using any formulas.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches us the courage to acknowledge our weaknesses and the humility to join hands with others.
Modern society tends to emphasize individual ability and independence. However, true strength may not be doing everything alone, but being able to cooperate appropriately.
If you are facing difficulties now, consider joining forces with someone you trust instead of carrying everything alone.
At work, at home, or in your community, you can produce results beyond imagination by utilizing each other’s strengths and compensating for weak areas.
Also, this teaching shows what leadership should be. An excellent leader is someone who brings members together, draws out each person’s maximum potential, and strengthens the entire team.
If you are in a leadership position, pay attention to deepening the unity among members.
Most importantly, this teaching shows that you yourself can be someone’s strength. As one arrow, by bundling together with someone important, you can both become strong.
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