Statue of Saigo-San in Ueno Park

28 Video Views·Jan 3, 2024

Yukari noticed a familiar statue in Tokyo, which makes her to find out who he really is. Takamori Saigo (1828-1877) played an important role when Japan transit from Samurai era to Meiji era with a Western style government and constitutions adopted from different nations in Europe. Thanks to him, without shedding any blood, the last Samurai clan surrendered to the new system.

Full quotation of "Honouring Heaven and Loving Others" (敬天愛人)is:

Since the path one should follow is a principle of heaven and earth, the path of learning should aim at honouring heaven and loving others, and one should always be mindful to conquer oneself in one's cultivation.

The ultimate principle for conquering oneself is to follow the maxim in the Analects of Confucius(論語): "There is no intent, no must, no hardness, and no self" (Do not judge solely on the basis of subjectivity. Do not push too hard. Do not be obsessive. Do not be selfish).

Do not focus on men, but on heaven. You should focus on the heavens, do your best to be sincere, do not condemn others, but recognise that your sincerity is lacking.

Japanese original:
人が踏み行うべき道は、この天地の自ずからなる道理であるから、学問の道は敬天愛人(天を敬い人を愛する)を目的とし、自分の修養には、つねに己に克つことを心がけなければならない。

己に克つための極意は、論語にある「意なし、必なし、固なし、我なし」(主観だけで判断しない。無理押しをしない。固執しない。我を通さない)ということだ。

人を相手にせず、天を相手にせよ。天を相手にして、自分の誠を尽くし、人を咎めたりせず、自分の真心が不足していることを認識すべきなのだ。

https://meigen-ijin.com/saigotakamori/#meigen

And late Kazuo Takamori, who was a founder of KyoCera(Kyoto Ceramic) was very font of his words. "Love people. But when you make decisions, make decisions that the heavens give you the OK to make, decisions that please the heavens." Inamori's philosophy was that a leader should not simply pander to those around him, but make decisions that will please the heavens. By doing so, the company will develop over the long term" was Inamori's management philosophy. ”損得勘定だけは やってはいけない。”
https://president.jp/articles/-/66019?page=4

    Statue of Saigo-San in Ueno Park | Gan Jing World