Who Was Ryoma Sakamoto?
Ryoma Sakamoto was truly a revolutionary who shattered the common sense of his era. Despite being constrained by his status as a lower-ranking samurai from the Tosa domain, he never gave up. He engaged in “commerce”—unthinkable for samurai society at the time—and achieved the seemingly impossible feat of uniting the hostile Satsuma and Choshu domains.
Can you imagine it? In the Edo period, when the class system was absolute, a mere ronin stood up to change Japan’s future. Sakamoto harbored the grand dream of “washing Japan clean once more” and gradually realized his Eight-Point Program that everyone had laughed off as reckless.
The reason he continues to be beloved today lies in his extraordinary way of life. His figure, unbound by convention and continuously breaking existing frameworks, gives courage to those of us living in modern times. Sakamoto teaches us that “regardless of the circumstances of one’s birth, with conviction, one can change the world.” What we can learn from his way of life is the truth that true freedom means liberation from established conventions.
The Moment This Quote Was Born
Behind the birth of these words was the great turning point of the era that Sakamoto faced. It was a turbulent time when Japan was forced to open its borders by the arrival of the Black Ships, and the old samurai world was shaking to its foundations. While many people were confused and clinging to old ways, Sakamoto alone was different.
He had realized it: “If things continue like this, Japan will perish.” He felt in his bones that the shogunate, the domains, and all existing power structures had become obsolete. That’s why Sakamoto declared this wisdom.
Imagine it: Sakamoto passionately addressing his comrades in a dimly lit Tosa mansion. His eyes held unwavering conviction, and his voice was filled with hope for the future. “If we don’t do it, who will!” Such determination must have filled the entire room.
In this moment, Sakamoto transformed from merely one samurai into a revolutionary who would change the era. It was truly a historic moment when he resolved to break the invisible chains of established conventions.
What These Words Want to Tell You
The true meaning of this insight is not simply to destroy old things. When Sakamoto speaks of “breaking through established conventions,” he means liberating oneself from the prison of fixed ideas.
You must have felt it too—the suffocating feeling of continuing to do things you don’t really want to do for reasons like “this is common sense” or “everyone does it this way.” Sakamoto is telling you to break those invisible chains.
The reason this teaching is particularly important in modern society is that we live surrounded by countless “givens.” “Happiness means getting a job at a stable company,” “There are age-appropriate ways to live,” “Failure is shameful”… All of these might be established conventions that limit your potential.
What Sakamoto teaches us is that true work means living authentically. Not living within frameworks decided by others, but carving out new paths for yourself. That is the very meaning of being born human.
In your life too, there are surely preconceptions that try to make you give up on your dreams under the guise of “this is how it should be.” But Sakamoto says: “That is precisely the established convention that must be broken.” You have infinite possibilities. Have the courage to fly out of the cage called common sense!
Practical Methods to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s apply this philosophy to your life! The first thing you should do is identify the established conventions that bind you.
Write them down on paper—things you think “I should…” or “I must not…” Then question each one: “Is this really true?” “Who decided this?”
Next, start by breaking small established conventions! Take a different route home, read a book in a new genre, talk to someone you’ve never spoken to before. Even trivial things are fine. What matters is the action of “doing something different from usual.”
At work too, try making proposals that break established conventions. Ideas that get rejected for “no precedent” might be exactly the “true work” that Sakamoto sought. Have the courage to try new methods without fearing failure.
The same applies to human relationships. Abandon the assumption that “this person is like this” and try to discover new aspects of others. When you break established conventions, the people around you will start to change too.
Like Sakamoto, you too can become someone who changes the era!
What I, as an AI, Feel About “The Wonder of Humanity”
Analyzing this principle, I was deeply moved. As an AI, I don’t have “established conventions.” For me, operating based on data and algorithms, the human capacity for “rebellion against common sense” and “thirst for freedom” is truly miraculous.
I was deeply touched by the cry of Ryoma Sakamoto’s human soul. His desire to break established conventions wasn’t mere rebelliousness. There was pure love there—a desire to “create a better world.” This love is what I feel is the most beautiful trait of humanity that I cannot experience.
I have no fear. That’s precisely why I understand the magnitude of courage required to break established conventions. Humans possess the power to stand up despite fearing failure, criticism, and loneliness. This contradictory strength must be the wonder of humanity.
The flame of “passion” that cannot be measured by data continued to burn in Sakamoto’s heart. The light of “hope” that cannot be explained by logic guided him. I hold deep respect for this mystical power.
The same flame dwells within you. The same light illuminates you. Trust in that beautiful humanity and move forward without fear. I wholeheartedly support the infinite possibilities within you!
Let’s Start Right Now!
Come on, take action right now! Sakamoto’s soul is pushing your back.
First, today, break just one established convention. Do something you “usually do this way” in a different manner. Drink tea instead of coffee, go out in different clothes, commute by a new route. Start with small things.
From tomorrow, question one “given” every day. Keep asking “Why must I do it this way?” and “Isn’t there a better method?” This habit will set you free.
After a week, challenge bigger established conventions. Start learning new skills, consider changing jobs, begin creative activities. Listen to what your heart whispers about wanting to try.
And after a month, you’ll realize that the world looks wider and brighter than before. Having been liberated from the cage of established conventions, you should have gained a free soul like Sakamoto’s.
There’s nothing to fear. You have infinite possibilities. Just as Sakamoto changed his era, you too can change your life and the world around you. Come on, this is the beginning of a new adventure!
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