[Yojijukugo] Carefully selected phrases recommended as slogans for sports days and athletic festivals!

Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain

What were Takeda Shingen’s strengths, and what is the meaning of “Fūrinkazan”?

Fūrinkazan is a four-character idiom, read “fūrin kazan,” said to have been inscribed on the battle standard of Takeda Shingen, a warlord of Kai (present-day Yamanashi Prefecture) who was active during the Sengoku period.

Because it was used to rouse the spirit when heading into battle, it conveys a sense of unity and strength.

It is said to be based on phrases recorded in Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, describing how to move when battle breaks out.

While it expresses the idea of assessing the situation and acting appropriately, it is also a phrase that evokes a strong will to press on toward victory.

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kappamaki

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May everything go as you wish.

This is a four-character idiom that means wishing for everything to go as one hopes.

Used at sports days or events, it lets everyone share the feeling of “may everything go well,” not just in terms of results or victory and defeat, but also in teamwork and daily effort.

Its appeal is that simply hearing it makes you feel positive, making it perfect as a greeting or an opening ceremony slogan.

When taking on a challenge, calming your mind and proceeding while thinking “banji nyoi” (everything as desired) can ease anxiety and impatience and naturally lead to proactive action.

It’s a phrase to remember when you want to value not only the outcome but also the process.

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Nakamū

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Where there is a will, there is a way.

This is a four-character idiom that makes you feel positive just by hearing it.

When you learn its meaning, you realize that if you have ambition and work hard, you can achieve your goals no matter how difficult the challenge.

If you call out “Yūshi kyōsei!” at a sports day or team event, it naturally boosts everyone’s spirit with a shared “Alright, let’s do our best!” Its appeal lies not only in emphasizing individual effort, but also in highlighting the importance of joining forces together.

When facing challenges or pursuing goals, remembering this phrase can encourage you—“If I keep going without giving up, it will surely lead to results.” I felt it’s a very reassuring four-character idiom.

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Nakamū

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Unity of knowledge and action

This four-character idiom teaches the importance of aligning what you know with what you actually do.

Once you understand its meaning, you realize that true strength comes not from merely having knowledge, but from putting that knowledge into action.

If you say during a sports day or team event, “Let’s keep chigyō-gōitsu in mind and move together,” it naturally raises awareness of how crucial it is to apply plans and strategies in practice.

It’s a phrase that reminds us not to stop at thinking but to take action, and I felt it’s an idiom that can encourage everyone when working together.

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Nakamū

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a sweeping view as far as the eye can see

A sweeping view for a thousand li: Meaning and example sentences of the four-character idiom @Kerokero Dictionary ◆ Just 1 minute by video! Memorable♪

It’s a four-character idiom that expresses a broad field of vision, the ability to see far into the distance, or a big-picture outlook.

Knowing its meaning teaches us the importance of stepping back to see things as a whole and looking ahead.

Using it in contexts like a sports day or team event—saying, “Let’s approach this while keeping the whole in view with a ‘ichibō-senri’ mindset”—can raise awareness about assessing situations while cooperating with teammates.

It’s a phrase that reminds us to keep a wide perspective, and I feel it also serves as encouragement when you want to act calmly and planfully without rushing.

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Nakamū

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With united hearts and concerted effort

United in heart, united in effort — can you read these kanji?

It’s a four-character idiom that expresses uniting hearts with your companions and joining forces.

It shows not only individual strength but also the importance of supporting and cooperating with one another.

Using it at a sports day or team event—like, “Let’s aim for the goal with kyōshin-ryokuryoku (協心戮力)!”—naturally heightens the sense of giving your all together with your teammates.

The phrase carries the message that even things that are hard to do alone can be overcome if you work with one heart, making it a perfect word of encouragement for situations where a team takes on a challenge.

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Nakamū

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battle-hardened; seasoned (literally: experienced in a hundred battles)

Do you know the true meaning of “seasoned by a hundred battles”? #trivia #randomfacts #tidbits

It represents the ability, built through repeated experience, to respond calmly and unfazed in any situation.

Just hearing it inspires reliability and composure, which is its appeal.

If you say, “Let’s take this on with a battle-hardened spirit” at a sports day or team event, you can share with your teammates the mindset of acting with faith in the results of your past effort and practice.

It’s a phrase that reminds us of the importance of turning the experiences of overcoming failures and hardships into strength, encouraging ourselves and our teammates to keep challenging—such is the four-character idiom, in my view.

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Nakamū

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