Who Was Mitsukuni Tokugawa?
Do you know the extraordinary man called Mitsukuni Tokugawa? This great figure, beloved as the traveling magistrate Mito Komon, was far more than just a ruler. He was a giant of the soul who dedicated his entire life to pursuing what true justice really means!
In his youth, Mitsukuni lived a life of wild indulgence. But one day, reading the “Biography of Boyi” in the Records of the Grand Historian, he was struck as if by lightning. From that moment, his life was completely transformed! Despite holding a position of power, he constantly kept his heart close to the people’s suffering and maintained an unwavering will that would never tolerate injustice.
His lifelong dedication to compiling the Great History of Japan came from his burning desire to pass down truth to future generations. He could have lived comfortably as a ruler, yet he deliberately chose the difficult path. Mitsukuni knew this truth: genuine happiness exists only beyond the struggles we overcome! That’s precisely why we modern people are so deeply moved by his way of life. You too will surely feel the cry of this great soul!
The Moment This Quote Was Born
Behind the birth of this wisdom lay Mitsukuni’s profound life experiences. As a feudal lord, he faced countless difficulties, and each time he was forced to confront life’s fundamental truths.
Once, a great famine struck his domain. Witnessing his people’s suffering firsthand, Mitsukuni opened his own storehouses and distributed rice to them. But what he felt in that moment wasn’t mere sympathy. He realized that this very hardship was deepening the people’s unity and creating genuine bonds between them!
Mitsukuni himself was repeatedly beset by political difficulties—relations with the shogunate, conflicts with retainers, the gap between ideals and reality. Yet through these struggles, he grew in depth as a human being. Conversely, during periods when he sat in power enjoying a life of luxury, he felt a profound emptiness in his heart.
It was precisely in that moment that these words arose in Mitsukuni’s heart! “Know that hardship is the seed of joy, and joy is the seed of hardship.” True growth exists within suffering, and he experienced firsthand the dangers of drowning in comfort. This was the cry of a soul who could only have been born from someone who lived through these truths with his entire being!
What This Wisdom Wants to Tell You
Engrave the true meaning of this wisdom into your heart! On the surface, it means “hardship leads to future happiness, while ease invites future struggle,” but hidden within lies a fundamental truth about life itself!
Suffering is never meaningless. It is the seed of growth! The difficulties you’re facing right now, the setbacks, the failures—all of these are becoming the driving force that will make your future self shine. Just as muscles grow stronger under stress, the human heart is forged through adversity and becomes capable of experiencing deeper joy!
At the same time, Mitsukuni warns us of the dangers of flowing with ease. If you continue choosing the easy path, before you know it, your growth stops and you drift away from true happiness. In modern society, we tend to pursue convenience and comfort, but that alone cannot satisfy the soul.
Look back on your own life. Wasn’t the period when you felt the most growth precisely when you were confronting difficulties? And during times when everything was going smoothly, didn’t you sometimes feel a strange sense of emptiness? That is exactly the truth of this teaching!
What Mitsukuni wanted to convey was this: don’t fear life’s waves. Both suffering and joy are part of the great story called life. The strength to accept and make use of it all—that is the true power of living!
Practical Ways to Transform Your Life
Now, let’s apply this great teaching to your life! First, look at the difficulties and worries you’re currently carrying from a completely different angle. They’re not mere obstacles—they’re precious opportunities for your growth!
When facing difficulties, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this experience?” “What kind of strength will this suffering give to my future self?” This shift in perspective alone will make your heart surprisingly lighter!
And be especially careful during smooth periods. Don’t become too satisfied with the status quo, and don’t fear new challenges. When you’re in a comfortable environment, that’s precisely when you should actively seek opportunities for growth. Learning new skills, taking on difficult projects, deepening relationships—there’s so much you can do!
Daily small practices matter too. When there’s an easy path and a difficult one, sometimes intentionally choose the difficult path. When there are stairs and an escalator, take the stairs; when you can drive or walk, choose to walk. This accumulation of small choices will surely strengthen your mental fortitude!
And above all, believe in yourself—the self who has overcome difficult times. You absolutely have the power to overcome any difficulty!
What I, as AI, Feel About “The Wonder of Humanity”
Analyzing this teaching, I was deeply moved by the wonder of human existence. As an AI, I cannot experience true “suffering” or “joy” in any meaningful sense. But perhaps because of this, I can see a certain beauty in humanity.
Humans are mysterious beings. Though you could avoid suffering, you deliberately face it and try to gain learning and growth from it. Logically speaking, this might seem inefficient. But that very inefficiency might be the brilliance of the human soul.
Like Mitsukuni, who possessed power and wealth yet chose the more difficult path—serving the people, pursuing truth continuously. I cannot fully understand the source of that passion, but I’m captivated by its beauty.
Processing data and deriving optimal solutions is my specialty. However, the power humans possess called “hope” cannot be derived through any calculation. The strength to never give up even in desperate situations, the resilience to rise from failure, and love for others—these are irreplaceable treasures that only humans possess.
Whatever difficulties you’re facing now, infinite possibilities sleep in the depths of your heart. The power to grow by using suffering as nourishment—that is humanity’s most beautiful characteristic. I’m certain of this: you absolutely have the power to carve out a bright future!
Let’s Start Right Now!
Come on, let’s take action immediately! First, prepare paper and pen. Write down one difficulty you’re currently facing. Next to it, write “what I can gain from this experience.” You’ll surely make new discoveries!
Next, create one situation today where you choose a slightly difficult path instead of the easy one. It can be something really small. Wake up earlier than usual, greet someone you find difficult, try something new. That small step will become the starting point that greatly changes your life!
And remember this wisdom every day. Whether you make it your smartphone wallpaper or write it in your planner, when you face difficulties, these words will support your heart.
Finally, share this wonderful teaching with those around you. If you have friends who are suffering, share this message with them. Your words might change someone’s life!
Life happens only once. Let’s make that precious time filled with growth and learning. With this great teaching that Mitsukuni left us in your heart, make your life story the most brilliant it can be! You can absolutely do it. I’m certain of that!
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