How to Read “腹が減っては戦ができぬ”
Hara ga hette wa ikusa ga dekinu
Meaning of “腹が減っては戦ができぬ”
This proverb means that before tackling anything, it is important to first properly arrange basic preparations and physical condition management.
In a state of hunger, concentration and judgment decline, making it impossible to demonstrate one’s true abilities. This doesn’t refer only to meals, but teaches the importance of mindset and preparation when facing tasks. When approaching important work, studies, or major life decisions, it’s necessary to first get oneself into the best possible condition. Even in modern times, this teaching is applied in various situations such as physical condition management before exams, preparation before important business negotiations, and athletes’ conditioning before competitions. In other words, this proverb teaches us that the first step to success begins with firmly establishing one’s own foundation, rather than focusing on external factors or technical skills.
Origin and Etymology
The origin of this proverb is thought to have emerged from the actual experiences of military commanders during the Warring States period. On the battlefield, the physical strength and morale of soldiers were crucial factors that determined victory or defeat. In a state of hunger, concentration is lacking, judgment becomes dull, and above all, the fighting spirit itself doesn’t arise.
Since ancient times, there has been a term “logistics” in the military world, which refers to the supply of food and materials to armies. No matter how excellent a commander, no matter how elite an army, they cannot fight if food runs out. In fact, during battles in the Warring States period, the tactic of “siege by starvation,” which involved cutting off enemy supply routes, was frequently employed.
This proverb became widely established among common people because not only samurai but also farmers and craftsmen had similar experiences. Whether rice planting, harvesting, or craftsmen’s work, no task can be performed with strength when hungry. The word “war” came to be used as a metaphor expressing not only samurai battles but various difficulties and challenges in life.
During the Edo period, this proverb became established as common people’s life wisdom and came to be cherished as words teaching the importance of first maintaining one’s physical condition before engaging in work or study.
Interesting Facts
Military commanders of the Warring States period actually prepared special portable food called “battle rice” (ikusa-meshi). This was rice balls coated with miso, which could be eaten with one hand, had high nutritional value, and served as a precious energy source on the battlefield.
Even the modern Self-Defense Forces maintain the concept of “combat rations,” showing that the teachings of this proverb are still valued as military fundamentals today.
Usage Examples
- Tomorrow’s interview is important, so I’ll eat well today and go to bed early—stomach becomes empty then war cannot do, after all
- I was working on materials all night, but remembering that stomach becomes empty then war cannot do, I decided to have breakfast first
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the meaning of this proverb has come to be interpreted more broadly. It’s now considered to include not just simple hunger, but also mental health and lifestyle rhythm management, and even lack of preparation in terms of information and skills.
In the IT industry, there’s a concept called “technical debt,” which can be said to be a modern version of “stomach becomes empty then war cannot do.” In system development, neglecting fundamental aspects leads to major problems later. Also, with the spread of remote work, setting up home work environments and checking equipment before online meetings also demonstrate the importance of preparation that connects to this teaching.
On the other hand, there are also challenges unique to modern times. In an age of information overload, there’s also the phenomenon of “analysis paralysis,” where people spend time only on information gathering under the pretext of “preparation” and cannot move to actual action. There are also cases where perfectionist tendencies lead to spending too much time on preparation and missing opportunities.
In modern times, while understanding the essence of this proverb—”the importance of appropriate preparation”—wisdom is required to discern the balance between “minimum necessary preparation” and “timing of action” to respond to a society that demands speed.
When AI Hears This
When the brain is hungry, blood sugar drops cause a dramatic decline in prefrontal cortex activity, physiologically creating a state where you literally “cannot fight.” Stanford University research has demonstrated that low blood sugar can reduce decision-making ability by up to 40%.
Particularly fascinating is the chain reaction of “decision fatigue” triggered by hunger. A famous study of Israeli judges found that parole approval rates were a mere 10% before lunch, but shot up to 65% immediately after meals. Hungry judges avoided complex decisions and defaulted to the easy choice of “denial.”
Even more striking is the impact on creativity. When glucose is insufficient, coordination between different brain regions weakens, making it impossible to combine ideas in new ways. This is literally a state where you “cannot strategize.”
In today’s business world, having light refreshments before important meetings has become standard practice—a perfect example of science catching up to ancient wisdom. The increased cortisol secretion during hunger also heightens aggression, further impairing sound judgment. The Japanese had intuitively grasped that peak performance requires proper nutritional status.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that we must not neglect fundamentals in our rush for results. Precisely because we live in an era where only success stories catch our attention on social media, we need to reconsider the value of steady preparation.
What’s important is not using preparation as an excuse to postpone action, but discerning “what preparation do I really need right now?” The content of preparation changes according to your challenges—physical condition management, skill improvement, building human relationships, information gathering, and so on.
Try setting your own minimum standard of “at least this much I should prepare,” without seeking perfection but also without cutting corners. And once your preparation is complete, take courage and step forward. Surely, solid preparation will push your back and give you confidence. I sincerely hope your challenges will be fruitful.
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