How to Read “志学”
Shigaku
Meaning of “志学”
“Will study” means to establish a serious commitment to learning and to have the determination to continue learning throughout one’s lifetime.
It represents not merely the acquisition of knowledge or improvement of skills, but the resolve toward learning for character formation and setting life goals. As Confucius spoke of at the age of fifteen, the original meaning is to understand the importance of learning at an early stage in life and to solidify one’s will to make it the foundation of life. Even today, it is used as a mindset when approaching new learning regardless of age. This phrase is used not simply when starting to study, but when expressing strong determination to dedicate one’s life to learning and mastering something. It is a word used with noble aspirations to elevate oneself through that learning and contribute to society, rather than superficial study.
Origin and Etymology
“Will study” originates from Confucius’s words recorded in the Wei Zheng chapter of the Chinese classic “Analects”: “At fifteen, I set my will on learning” (吾十有五而志于学). This is a famous passage where Confucius reflected on his own life, meaning “At fifteen years old, I set my will toward learning.”
Confucius continued with “At thirty I stood firm, at forty I had no doubts, at fifty I knew the mandate of Heaven, at sixty my ear was attuned, at seventy I could follow my heart’s desire without transgressing what was right,” describing each stage of life, with “Will study” positioned as the starting point of life. This phrase was introduced to Japan along with the transmission of Buddhism and Confucianism, and was already known among intellectuals during the Heian period.
During the Edo period, the concept of “Will study” spread to common people along with the proliferation of terakoya education. Particularly among the samurai class, age fifteen was called the “year of Will study” and was valued as an important milestone for establishing one’s commitment to learning. Even after the promulgation of the educational system in the Meiji era, the ideal of “Will study” was inherited as the fundamental spirit of education, and it remains a classical teaching quoted in educational settings and at life’s turning points even today.
Interesting Facts
The age of fifteen when Confucius spoke of “Will study” corresponds to modern third-year junior high school students, but fifteen-year-olds of that time were much more mature than today. In ancient China, fifteen was considered the age of entering adulthood and bearing social responsibilities.
The character “志” (will) in “Will study” originally took the form of “士” (warrior) placed above “心” (heart), representing the heart of a warrior, that is, strong will. It contains the meaning that an indomitable spirit like that of a warrior is necessary for the heart that faces learning.
Usage Examples
- My son is now fifteen years old, truly reaching the year of Will study, and it seems serious thoughts about his future have begun to sprout
- After turning forty, I entered graduate school with the spirit of Will study and opened new doors in my life
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, the concept of “Will study” has acquired new meaning beyond traditional age-based frameworks. In the information age, knowledge update cycles have accelerated, and skills once acquired quickly become obsolete. In such an environment, rather than the one-time determination of “setting one’s will on learning at fifteen” as in Confucius’s time, it is necessary to renew the spirit of “Will study” repeatedly at various stages of life.
In the modern era where concepts like recurrent education and lifelong learning are gaining attention, the mindset of “Will study” is required in situations where working adults return to university, challenge new qualifications, or change careers to different industries. Particularly as AI and digital technology advance and traditional views of occupation change dramatically, the attitude of approaching new learning regardless of age is important as a survival strategy.
Furthermore, modern “Will study” is connected not only to personal growth but also to larger purposes such as solving social issues and creating a sustainable future. To tackle the complex challenges of modern society such as environmental problems, aging society, and inequality issues, interdisciplinary learning that transcends specialized fields and the strong will to support it are indispensable.
When AI Hears This
The age of 15 that Confucius described in “At fifteen, I set my heart on learning” corresponds to today’s ninth-graders, yet their attitudes toward learning are completely opposite. Modern 15-year-olds are driven by the external pressure of high school entrance exams, leaving them no room to contemplate the fundamental question of “why do we learn?” According to Japan’s Ministry of Education surveys, about 60% of ninth-graders respond that they “don’t know if studying will be useful in the future.”
This contrast reveals a structural reversal in modern education. In Confucius’s time, one’s aspirations came first, and academic pursuits were chosen based on those goals. Today, however, the “system” comes first, forcing students to conform to its framework. While 15-year-olds are pressured to decide their future paths, they actually have extremely limited opportunities to explore their own interests and aptitudes.
What’s fascinating is that some modern 15-year-olds still embody the spirit of “setting one’s heart on learning.” Middle schoolers passionate about programming or young people tackling environmental issues are living examples of this principle. What they share in common is learning driven by intrinsic motivation rather than external evaluation.
The modern “15-year-old problem” exposes the contradiction in an educational system that demands career choices before students can establish their aspirations. True learning should begin with the question “why do we learn?” yet modern education focuses solely on imposing “what should we learn?”
Lessons for Today
“Will study” teaches modern people that there is no end to learning. We tend to think that learning ends when we graduate from school, but perhaps real learning begins from there.
In modern society, the pace of change is fast, and it’s not uncommon for yesterday’s common sense to become today’s nonsense. In such times, we need the courage to repeatedly renew the “will to continue learning” that Confucius showed. Regardless of age or position, the humility to honestly acknowledge that “there are still things I don’t know” and “I can still grow more” is true strength.
Moreover, “Will study” is not mere self-improvement. It also includes the altruistic spirit of trying to use what one has learned for society’s benefit. The day will surely come when your learning will help someone. For that day, why not try challenging something new today? You don’t need to be perfect. What’s important is not letting the flame of the heart that seeks to continue learning go out.
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