How to Read “武士道と云うは死ぬ事と見付けたり”
Bushidō to iu wa shinu koto to mitsuke tari
Meaning of “武士道と云うは死ぬ事と見付けたり”
The original meaning of this proverb is the teaching that “Bushido is to live with constant resolve so that one would have no regrets whenever death comes.”
This does not glorify death or encourage reckless dying. Rather, it teaches a sincere attitude toward life—by maintaining readiness for death, one should cherish this very moment and continue to act without shame. It expresses the philosophy that people in the samurai profession, who never knew when they might lose their lives, should therefore live each day to the fullest.
This expression is used when facing important life decisions or when showing resolve to confront difficult situations. In modern times, it may be used when expressing determination to stick to one’s beliefs or resolve to fulfill one’s responsibilities. However, even then, it’s important to understand it not in the simple sense of “working desperately hard,” but in the deeper meaning of living without regrets.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is a famous passage recorded in a book called “Hagakure,” which was dictated by Yamamoto Tsunetomo, a retainer of the Saga Domain in the early Edo period. It is precisely known as “Bushido called thing is dying thing and discovered.”
“Hagakure” consists of content that Yamamoto Tsunetomo spoke to Tashiro Tsuramoto, also of the same domain, after Yamamoto’s retirement, which Tashiro transcribed. It is believed to have been completed during the Kyōhō era (1716-1736). This book was treated as a secret teaching within the domain for a long time, serving as a moral instruction book that explained the bushido spirit of the Saga Domain.
Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a samurai of a peaceful era who had no actual battlefield experience, but perhaps because of this, he deeply contemplated the mindset and spiritual way of being of a samurai. The content he spoke is thought to have emerged from stories he heard from senior samurai who knew the Warring States period and from his sense of crisis about how samurai should live in peaceful times.
This passage became widely known from the Meiji period onward, and it was frequently quoted as a symbol of the bushido spirit, especially before and after the Pacific War. However, it was often used with interpretations different from its original meaning, making it one of the easily misunderstood proverbs even today.
Interesting Facts
In “Hagakure,” there is text that continues after “Bushido called thing is dying thing and discovered,” which states, “When confusion arises between the two choices of life and death, one should immediately choose death.” However, this too is not meant literally, but is a teaching to abandon attachment to life and make correct judgments.
The era when Yamamoto Tsunetomo spoke “Hagakure” was already a time when peaceful days without war had continued, and “peacetime complacency” among samurai who lacked combat experience was seen as problematic. Therefore, these words are also thought to have emerged from longing for the ideal samurai image and a sense of crisis.
Usage Examples
- If you’re going to dedicate your life to this work, you should approach it with the spirit of “Bushido called thing is dying thing and discovered”
- He lives each day without regret, keeping the words “Bushido called thing is dying thing and discovered” in his heart
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, these words are sometimes misused as simple grit theory meaning “work desperately hard.” However, when we translate the original meaning to modern times, a very contemporary and universal message emerges: “Be conscious of your finite life and cherish the present.”
In today’s information society, we are surrounded by infinite choices and information, which tends to make us feel lost and anxious. Many people compare their lives to others on social media and cannot enjoy the present due to anxiety about the future. In such times, the perspective of “living in a way that you would have no regrets whenever death comes” teaches us something important.
In modern interpretation, these words are understood to emphasize “responsibility for life” rather than “readiness for death.” In other words, it means having the courage to clarify your own values, not be swayed by others’ evaluations, and walk your own authentic life path.
Also, in modern times when work-life balance is emphasized, the old values of dedicating one’s life to work are being reconsidered. However, the essence of these words—”making choices without regret” and “acting with responsibility”—continues to be inherited as a life philosophy that is still valid today.
When AI Hears This
Modern people live with “not dying” as their top priority. The average lifespan of Japanese people is 84 years, more than double that of the Edo period. However, interestingly, the more modern people are able to live longer, the more they tend to feel “lost about how to live.”
According to a Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare survey, about 40% of people in their twenties answer that they “feel anxious about the future.” Why is this? It’s because there are too many choices. Job search websites have tens of thousands of job listings, and you can search endlessly for marriage partners through apps. Because you can start over even if you fail, you become unable to make decisions.
Samurai were the complete opposite. The moment they resolved to “prepare for death,” their choices narrowed down to one. For example, fight for their lord or flee. If you don’t fear death, the answer is clear. In modern terms, this means “people who accept the worst possible outcome” become the most free.
In fact, psychological research has shown that “people who envision worst-case scenarios” are more likely to take proactive action. In other words, the samurai’s “preparation for death” was what we would call “the ultimate risk management method” today.
While we endlessly gather information on our smartphone screens, samurai were already taking action. By accepting death, they were freed from confusion about how to live.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is a simple yet powerful message: “Because life is finite, let’s live the present to the fullest.” We tend to get caught up in daily busyness and postpone things with “someday” or “eventually,” but what’s truly important may be in this very moment.
To apply this in modern society, start by reconsidering what is truly important to you. Time with family, conversations with friends, personal growth, contribution to society. By clarifying what you prioritize and what you live for, you should be able to live with a strong core even in our confusing modern world.
Also, it’s important not to seek perfection too much, but to focus on what you can do now. If you think “what if today were the last day of my life,” you’ll see what you really want to do and who is really important to you. This is not something heavy at all, but rather a perspective that makes life richer and more fulfilling. May your today become an irreplaceable day.
Comments