How to Read “逃げ逃げ天下を取る家康”
Nige nige tenka wo toru Ieyasu
Meaning of “逃げ逃げ天下を取る家康”
This proverb expresses how temporary retreat and patience can ultimately lead to great success.
Rather than being obsessed with immediate victories and continuing reckless battles, it teaches the importance of sometimes withdrawing, building strength, and waiting for the right opportunity. It means that true victors are those who are not bound by pride or appearances and can judge things with a long-term perspective. This proverb is used when encouraging people facing difficult situations by saying “now is the time to endure, but your chance will surely come,” or when conveying to those who tend to seek short-term results “the importance of proceeding steadily without rushing.” Even in modern times, the value of avoiding unreasonable battles and discerning appropriate timing remains unchanged in business and human relationships.
Origin and Etymology
This proverb is a phrase that has been passed down since the Edo period, expressing the life of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Looking back at Ieyasu’s life, there were indeed numerous scenes of retreat and patience that could be seen as “fleeing.”
In his youth, Ieyasu spent time as a hostage of the Imagawa family, and later suffered a great defeat against Takeda Shingen at the Battle of Mimatagahara, barely escaping back to Hamamatsu Castle. Also, during the Honnoji Incident, Ieyasu, who was in Sakai, undertook a desperate escape called “Iga-goe” to flee from Akechi Mitsuhide’s pursuers.
During the era when Toyotomi Hideyoshi became the ruler of the realm, Ieyasu accepted relocation to the Kanto region and continued to show a submissive attitude to Hideyoshi on the surface. These actions were perceived as “fleeing” and “patience” even at that time.
However, since he ultimately achieved victory at the Battle of Sekigahara and established the Edo shogunate, laying the foundation for a government that lasted 265 years, this proverb was born with the lesson that “fleeing can sometimes be an important strategy.” Among the common people, Ieyasu’s life itself came to be told as a model of worldly wisdom.
Interesting Facts
There remains an anecdote that when Ieyasu fled in defeat at the Battle of Mimatagahara, he defecated on horseback from fear. Later, Ieyasu is said to have had an artist paint this pathetic image of himself and kept it by his side throughout his life as a warning.
Ieyasu’s “Iga-goe” was a desperate journey where he fled through treacherous mountain paths for three days with only about 30 attendants. At this time, receiving help from local residents and ninja to preserve his life became an important turning point toward his later unification of the realm.
Usage Examples
- This project has been postponed, but let’s wait for the next chance with the spirit of “Fleeing fleeing, Ieyasu takes the realm”
- My job search isn’t going well, but as they say “Fleeing fleeing, Ieyasu takes the realm,” I think this is a time to improve myself without rushing
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the interpretation of this proverb has changed significantly. With the spread of social media, there is a strong tendency to demand immediate results in everything, and harsher scrutiny is directed toward the act of “fleeing.” Particularly among younger generations, there is a tendency to simply view “fleeing” as “losing,” spreading an understanding different from the original meaning of the proverb.
However, isn’t the modern business environment precisely where the true value of this proverb can be demonstrated? In the midst of rapid technological innovation and market changes, temporarily retreating and devising new strategies can sometimes be a shortcut to success rather than continuing unreasonable competition. The concept of “pivot” in startup companies can be said to be a modern version of Ieyasu-like thinking.
Also, in the context of work style reform, the recognition that “fleeing” from unreasonable overtime and excessive stress is important for long-term career development has spread. From a mental health perspective, appropriate retreat has come to be evaluated as a means of self-defense.
In modern times, the value of this proverb is being reevaluated as “strategic retreat” and “the ability to discern timing.”
When AI Hears This
Ieyasu’s strategic retreats align remarkably with what modern business considers most crucial: “strategic withdrawal.” When Ieyasu suffered a crushing defeat to Takeda Shingen at the Battle of Mimatagahara, he abandoned his pride and fled thoroughly, enduring such humiliation that he soiled himself at Hamamatsu Castle. Yet the lessons learned from this “failure” became the foundation for his eventual unification of Japan.
The “pivot” strategies practiced by modern startups follow exactly the same structure. In Silicon Valley, “Fail Fast, Learn Fast” is considered the iron rule of success, and Instagram failed as a location-based app before becoming a photo-sharing platform. Twitter originally started as a podcast distribution service. These companies accepted short-term “defeats” and changed direction to ultimately achieve success.
What’s particularly noteworthy about Ieyasu’s strategic thinking is his “aesthetics of waiting.” For approximately 20 years leading up to the Battle of Sekigahara, he continuously avoided decisive confrontations, focusing instead on intelligence gathering and alliance building. Just as modern investors say “Cash is King,” Ieyasu understood that “time and preparation are the greatest weapons.”
While the pace of change in today’s business environment continues to accelerate, Ieyasu’s fundamental strategic thinking—”don’t fear temporary setbacks, but find optimal solutions from a long-term perspective”—represents exactly the kind of capability we need now more than ever.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches us today is that “courage has two forms.” One is the courage to face difficulties, and the other is the courage to withdraw at the appropriate timing.
In modern society, partly due to the influence of social media, “continuing to persevere” tends to be considered the only virtue, but sometimes stopping and changing direction is also an important choice. If you are currently feeling stuck with something, that might be a sign to explore new paths.
By having a long-term perspective like Ieyasu, you can discern what is truly important without being elated or dejected by small immediate victories and defeats. Whether in career changes, relationships, or learning, by viewing it as “now is the time for preparation,” you can be freed from anxiety and make better judgments.
In your life, believe that today’s “fleeing” may lead to tomorrow’s “taking the realm,” and continue walking at your own pace.
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