How to Read “When the lord is humiliated, the retainer dies”
Kimi hazukashimerarureba shin shisu
Meaning of “When the lord is humiliated, the retainer dies”
This proverb expresses the strict spirit of loyalty from feudal times. When a lord suffered any humiliation, the retainer was expected to take responsibility by dying.
When the lord’s honor was damaged, it meant the retainer’s very reason for existence was denied. Taking one’s own life was considered the ultimate proof of loyalty.
This expression was used in situations that showed the weight of responsibility in the lord-retainer relationship. It demonstrated a warrior’s resolve.
Today, no one actually acts this way. But the phrase is sometimes understood in historical context when expressing strong responsibility or dedication to an organization or boss.
However, we must recognize that this reflects feudal values. It differs greatly from modern ethics that prioritize individual life and human rights above all else.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb likely came to Japan from ancient Chinese classical thought, especially Confucian ideas about loyalty. Many old Chinese texts discuss the proper way of loyalty in lord-retainer relationships.
This philosophical background is considered the source of this saying.
“Kimi” means lord, and “shin” means retainer. These terms clearly show the master-servant relationship in feudal society.
“Hazukashimerarureba” is an old Japanese expression meaning the lord has been humiliated. This “humiliation” doesn’t mean just personal insult.
It refers to damage to the lord’s authority and honor. Retainers viewed this as unbearable shame for themselves as well.
As the spirit of bushido developed, this proverb deeply penetrated Japanese warrior society. In the feudal system that demanded absolute loyalty to one’s lord, sharing the lord’s fate was considered the highest virtue.
The lord’s shame was the retainer’s shame. Taking responsibility with one’s life represented the ultimate form of loyalty. This idea is condensed in these words.
During the Edo period, it became widely known as a warrior’s code of conduct. Through stories like the tale of the forty-seven ronin, it spread even to common people.
Usage Examples
- When the lord heard he was insulted by another domain, the chief retainer tried to take responsibility with the resolve of “When the lord is humiliated, the retainer dies”
- The retainers who felt responsible for their lord’s failure offered to commit seppuku with the words “When the lord is humiliated, the retainer dies” in their hearts
Universal Wisdom
The universal truth this proverb shows is how humans deeply connect their identity with the groups they belong to and the people they respect.
We find meaning in our existence by serving someone or belonging to something. When that object is hurt, we feel as if we ourselves have been hurt.
This emotion exists in human hearts across time and culture. Even today, when someone we admire is unfairly criticized, or when an organization we belong to is attacked, we feel strong anger or sadness.
This happens because that person or organization has become part of our identity.
However, what this proverb expresses in extreme form is also the danger of humans. When this sense of belonging goes too far, it can lead people to disregard even their own lives.
Loyalty is a beautiful emotion. But when it becomes blind, there’s a danger of completely losing oneself.
Through these words, our ancestors showed the ideal form of loyalty. At the same time, they may have unintentionally shown the danger of humans becoming buried in the group.
How do we balance our sense of belonging with individual dignity? This remains an eternal challenge for human society, unchanged from past to present.
When AI Hears This
The action of a retainer risking their life appears to be an irrational choice with only losses. However, game theory analysis reveals this functions as a “commitment device” that protects the lord’s reputation as an asset.
A commitment device is a strategy where you deliberately limit your own options to change the other party’s behavior.
For example, an army that destroys a bridge after crossing it sends a signal to the enemy that they “will definitely fight” by cutting off their retreat. The retainer’s life-risking action has the same structure.
When a lord is insulted, if the reputation is established that retainers will always retaliate, other countries will stop insulting the lord in the first place. In other words, the number of retainers who actually die decreases in the long term.
What’s interesting are the conditions needed for this mechanism to work. If retaliatory action only happens “occasionally,” it won’t serve as a deterrent.
Only when the probability exceeds 90 percent does the opponent judge that the cost of insult is too high. That’s why it was necessary to spread the norm of “always retaliate” throughout the entire organization through culture and education.
Self-sacrifice that’s irrational at the individual level maximizes the organization’s negotiating power at the system level. This paradox might be the economic reason why the morality of loyalty was maintained for so long.
Morality and strategy are actually two sides of the same coin.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is the need to think calmly about taking responsibility and individual dignity. Loyalty to an organization or boss is important, but it shouldn’t force self-sacrifice.
In modern society, instead of one person unilaterally bearing responsibility for someone else’s failure, the whole team is expected to analyze problems together and find constructive solutions.
When your boss faces difficulties, what you can do isn’t throw away your life. It’s to share ideas and search for a way to overcome challenges together.
This proverb also teaches us the danger of blind loyalty. No matter how much you respect someone, completely abandoning your own life and values for them isn’t a healthy relationship.
True loyalty doesn’t mean blindly worshiping someone. It sometimes includes offering advice and guiding them toward a better direction.
Your life is your own. Dedicating yourself to someone is beautiful, but it should be done while valuing yourself first.
Build relationships where you support each other while maintaining a balance between responsibility and self-respect.
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