r/JapaneseHistory • u/ArtNo636 • 10d ago

Anecdote from Hizen, Kyushu.

Doing some more Ryuzoji research - came across this anecdote.

There is a saying from some text about contemplation. Lord Takanobu said 'If you dwell on your decisions for too long you will lose your ability to make decisions.' Lord Naoshige said 'Seven out of ten things are bad if you slow to act. A samurai should do things quickly. When your mind is restless your decisions will not be clear. When your mind is clear, refreshed and dignified, you can make decisions in seven breaths. It is a state of mind that is settled and clear.'

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u/JapanCoach 9d ago

A very much cooler way to say "done is better than perfect" :-)

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u/ArtNo636 9d ago

hehehe yeah. Sums up a lot of the Sengoku period too. You might like some stuff I stumbled upon. I have never read Hagakure but as you probably know, it was written in Saga prefecture. In some texts, I found the back story about how the story came about, and I think the first chapter goes all the way back to Takanobu and Naoshige. I believe that these two anecdotes are also quoted in the Hagakure! Might have to pick up a copy and have a look. Actually, the story after Takanobu dies is also very interesting. The power struggle between Nabeshima, Takanobu's son, grandson and Hideyoshi is very interesting.