Takenaka Shigekata - Go For It! Conquering the Opponent with One Decisive Slash!
“One finds life through conquering the fear of death within one’s mind. Empty the mind of all forms of attachment, make a go-for-broke charge and conquer the opponent with one decisive slash!”
“If it’s important, do it. It’s that simple.”
Do you #procrastinate ? Put off for later those things which you know you must #conquer ?
You're DEFINITELY not alone!
Many of our elderly report strong feelings of #regret in:
Not prioritizing family time
Declining big opportunities out of fear
Not attempting to go for their dreams
#LetGo of #attachment. If something is truly #important, then rip out all stops and #GOFORIT
Be #decisive and cut through all obstacles in your path.
It may be hard, but "everything is hard at first." - #MiyamotoMusashi
WHO HE WAS:
Takenaka was a #Samurai who lived in the late Edo period. He was descended from the family of a great Strategist, Takenaka Hanbei Shigeharu.
Born in 1828, he died at 63 years old in 1891, and was buried at Takanawa-Sengakuji Temple.
HIS WISDOM:
You don't truly live until your mind is #FreeFromFear and all forms of attachment.
Focus on what is truly important and give your absolute 100%, without any thought of loss, failure, embarrassment - any form of #fear whatsoever.
If we observe his actions in life, we see that he did not "charge into an irrational death" as would be encouraged by #YamamotoTsunetomo in the #Hagakure.
Takenada clearly fought aiming to win, understood the importance of living to fight another day, and was #flexible in adjusting his #goals and #lifestyle to match the changing times.
WHAT HE IS REMEMBERED FOR:
He entered the military ranks of the "Greater Guardsman," becoming an Army Magistrate, and participating in various #military campaigns. During the Meiji restoration period, he fought on the losing side of the Tokugawa Shogunate, fighting against the New Imperial Army of Japan.
Fighting battle after #battle using guerilla warfare tactics, he was pushed north to #Hokkaido, where he settled with many other disparaged former Samurai. He eventually became the Judge Advocate General officer in the new Ezo Republic.