How to Read “Winning first is a shitty win”
Sakigachi wa kusogachi
Meaning of “Winning first is a shitty win”
This proverb means that winning by taking the first move or gaining an early advantage is not a true victory and has little value.
People use this saying when someone wins because their opponent wasn’t prepared, they caught them off guard, or they simply got lucky. Even though it looks like a victory on the surface, it’s not something to be proud of because it wasn’t earned through real skill or fair competition.
The reason for this expression is to question what true value means in competition. It shows that winning isn’t everything—how you win matters just as much. A victory only has real meaning when you compete under equal conditions and give it your all.
Even today, this proverb’s spirit applies to business and competitive situations. When someone achieves temporary success or gets results through shortcuts, this wisdom still rings true. It teaches us to aim for sustainable success and victories based on genuine ability.
Origin and Etymology
There are no clear written records about the origin of this proverb, but we can make interesting observations from how the words are constructed.
First, notice the intense expression “kusogachi” (shitty win). This might sound vulgar today, but in older Japanese, “kuso” (shit) was commonly used simply to indicate something worthless. Just like the word “kusomajime” (overly serious) still exists today, it was used as a prefix to emphasize or show contempt.
This proverb likely came from the world of samurai battles and competitions. During the Warring States period and Edo period, the martial arts world valued true ability and lasting strength over temporary victories.
Taking the first move and controlling your opponent is certainly advantageous. But winning that way alone doesn’t prove your real capability.
The same thinking applies to games like Go and shogi. Even if you gain an advantage early on, it means nothing if you can’t maintain it until the end.
Rather, drawing out your opponent’s full strength and winning after an equal match is what brings true pride as a victor. This proverb embodies that samurai code of values.
Usage Examples
- We got a huge lead early on, but winning first is a shitty win, so we can’t let our guard down until the end
- We won because of the opponent’s mistake, but winning first is a shitty win, so I can’t feel completely happy about it
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “Winning first is a shitty win” contains deep insight into human nature and pride.
Everyone has the desire to win. But at the same time, deep in our hearts, we also want to win fairly and squarely. Isn’t that strange? If just winning were enough, any method should be fine. But in reality, winning through dishonest means doesn’t satisfy our hearts.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because humans have eyes that see themselves. You can deceive others, but you cannot deceive yourself.
A victory gained only by moving first, or by exploiting an opponent’s weakness, leaves you knowing deep down that “this isn’t a real victory.”
Furthermore, humans are creatures who seek growth. You learn nothing from easily gained victories. Only through difficult battles where you give everything do you find growth and steps forward.
This universal truth never changes, no matter the era. As long as humans are beings with pride, as long as we keep asking what true victory means, the wisdom of this proverb will never fade.
When AI Hears This
Winning first actually becomes a disadvantage. This is a phenomenon called the “winner’s curse” in game theory, and it can be mathematically proven.
Consider an auction, for example. Ten people bid on an antique whose true value is unknown. The person who wins with the highest bid is the “winner,” but this also means all nine other people judged that a lower price was appropriate.
In other words, the moment you win, you become “the person most likely to have overpaid.” Statistically, under uncertain information, the person with the most optimistic judgment wins, so that judgment is likely wrong on average.
The same structure appears in corporate market entry. Companies that jump into new markets first bear all the pioneering costs and learn failure patterns at their own expense.
Meanwhile, companies that enter slightly later can observe the trial and error of first movers before acting. In fact, Apple wasn’t first in the smartphone market—they analyzed existing product failures before entering and succeeded.
When information is incomplete, moving first means “taking on risks you can’t yet see.” Late movers get data from first movers as “guinea pigs” for free. This is the mathematical reason why winning first becomes a low-value victory.
Lessons for Today
What this proverb teaches you today is the importance of developing an eye for judging the quality of success.
In our rush for results, we tend to accept any victory as good. But stop and think. Does that success truly reflect your real ability? Or was it just lucky timing or a weak opponent?
Modern society focuses on visible achievements—likes on social media, short-term sales, test scores. But what truly matters is how much you grew through the process.
The experience of facing difficulties and giving your all becomes your true treasure.
So don’t be satisfied with easily gained success. Always ask yourself: Is this real ability, or just a superficial victory? And don’t be afraid to keep challenging higher walls. True victory waits for you only after you’ve given everything you have.
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