RAG Music - Quote Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan 10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminder kepiko Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.
Various great figures who built Japan have left behind numerous famous sayings.
These quotes sometimes resonate with people living in the present and can serve as guideposts when moving things forward.
In this article, we introduce inspiring quotes left by those known as great figures of Japan.
We have gathered quotes from a variety of fields, including historical figures, people who supported major corporations, athletes, and entertainers.
Among the quotes we present, you may find a hint that clears your mind.
Be sure to check them out!
Table of Contents Heartfelt! Inspiring Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan No success for those without dreams. Yoshida Shōin I was born to accomplish something in this world. Hideyo Noguchi Effort is always rewarded. If there is effort that isn’t rewarded, then it can’t yet be called effort. Sadaharu Oh If you try, you can succeed; if you do not try, nothing will be accomplished. What does not come to pass is simply what people have not attempted. Uesugi Yōzan It’s enough if you have the willingness to learn from your environment. Umeko Tsuda Trust in others, but trust yourself a hundred times more. Osamu Tezuka There really isn’t any shortcut. The straight, main path is the shortcut. Tamori Unless the whole world becomes happy, individual happiness is impossible. Kenji Miyazawa Creation is the ability to invent a new future while using the past and present as its materials. Akiko Yosano Forge yourself with a thousand days of training; temper yourself with ten thousand days of training. Miyamoto Musashi I believe that piling up small things is the only way to reach incredible places. Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro) It only becomes a failure because you stop where you failed. If you keep going until you succeed, then it becomes a success. Konosuke Matsushita It can’t be helped. Oda Nobunaga If you don’t give up, there will always be a way. Always. Sakichi Toyoda People who don’t think about what to do can’t foresee what will happen. Katsuya Nomura Talent is the ability to sustain passion. Hayao Miyazaki If you fail, you can try again. If trying again doesn’t work, think it through once more and try again. Konosuke Matsushita I want the children to have a normal school life and be able to graduate. Kimi Onoda Doing things without changing what I aim for Ryo Ishikawa We can’t have you resorting to force that easily. Katsuya Okada Don’t rush. But don’t give up. Shigeta Saitō Do what you can, and then just worry quietly in your heart about the rest. Things will only turn out the way they’re going to anyway. Katsu Kaishū Even if I face setbacks, I don’t lose my pride—that’s because I’m putting in the effort. Shigeo Nagashima It’s not over when you lose. It’s over when you quit. Richard Nixon You should have more faith in your talents and what you’ve done. Ichiro Winning or losing is a small thing. What matters is whether you gave it your all. Shuzo Matsuoka Since we are being kept alive, let’s simply feel grateful. We are kept alive because our lives are worth living. Jakuchō Setouchi We read “failure” as “success.” Katsuya Nomura You should be honest with your feelings. Hideo Nomo If you try, you can achieve; if you don’t try, you won’t. Whatever fails to be accomplished fails because people do not attempt it. Uesugi Yōzan As you stretch yourself to broaden your horizons, it’s possible you’ll actually grow taller. That’s part of what makes life interesting. Saburō Shiroyama We came in with the resolve that even if we can realize just one or two policies that benefit the people, we will take all the criticism ourselves. Yuichiro Tamaki I think achieving policy goals is more important than holding a ministerial post. Yuichiro Tamaki Nation-building begins with people-building Yuichiro Tamaki If you don’t give up on yourself, there is no such thing as losing in life. Shigeta Saitō It’s okay to feel regret, to cry, to rejoice. That’s what it means to be human. Shuzo Matsuoka Happiness is always decided by your own heart. Mitsuo Aida What we truly need is the courage to stand up for someone. Taro Yamamoto I want to build a country where we can say, “Don’t worry, no matter what happens.” Taro Yamamoto Japan will never give up. We will always rise again. Sanae Takaichi The distance you’ve run will never betray you. Mizuki Noguchi Truly kind people also say tough things, because they know that coddling someone won’t do them any good. Yūsai Hosokawa Having someone who will scold you is a great happiness. Konosuke Matsushita You are in the middle of a shining life. Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi Lifelong learning, lifelong youth. Mitsuo Aida The story begins here. Osamu Tezuka Youth is the freshness of the heart. As long as one is filled with conviction and hope, brimming with courage, and continues ever-renewed activity day by day, youth will be theirs forever. Konosuke Matsushita If you don’t want to make an irreparable major mistake, you must not fear failing early. Hideki Yukawa Even when life doesn’t go well, it’s sometimes necessary not to blame yourself too much and to think that society is at fault. It begins with courtesy and ends with courtesy. More than the joy of victory, we value honoring the defeated. That is the way of sumo. Chiyonofuji Mitsugu The mental strength to endure—to dig in with “One more step!” the very moment you think “I can’t go on”—cultivates an unbeatable power to overcome anything. Taihō Kōki Sumo is something you learn by losing. There’s no sumo you learn by winning anywhere. Asashōryū Akinori I will strive every day, believing that a day will come when we can say that this experience also had great significance. Hakuho Sho Rather than staking my life on sumo, it is within sumo that my very life exists. Kōji Takanohana The voices of children without votes and without a voice, the voices of our grandchildren, will surely be heard. We will make sure they are heard. A professional never makes excuses, no matter what. Chiyonofuji Mitsugu Sweat you shed never lies Chiyonofuji Mitsugu It’s easy when you’re on the ascent and riding momentum. A person’s true worth is determined when they’re in a tight spot. Taihō Kōki War is murder carried out by states. Katsuya Okada If there are differences, we should discuss them thoroughly with each other and then overcome those differences to build consensus—that is the true role of politicians. Katsuya Okada Other people’s rulers and your own ruler each have different measurements, don’t they? Mitsuo Aida When it comes to why we do something, I always want to think about the national interests of Japan and its people. Kimi Onoda Saying it must be this way just because it’s been that way for only 50 or 100 years is strange; I want to try absolutely everything without taboos. Kimi Onoda The strength to protect what should be protected and to change what should be changed Kimi Onoda Japanese children are Japan’s treasure, aren’t they? Kimi Onoda Insults are not encouragement. Kimi Onoda I believe that insisting something can be done, when anyone can see it cannot, is plainly being dishonest to the public. Katsuya Okada No matter how tough the situation, in the end the only thing that supports you is your ‘aspiration’ (your guiding purpose). Sanae Takaichi They say you can change this. The key to changing it rests in your palm, in your hand. You have the power to change it. Taro Yamamoto That’s why I want to change—I’m changing for myself. It’s also for everyone. Taro Yamamoto Politics is something we create together. Taro Yamamoto Politics exists to save people’s lives. Taro Yamamoto We have no choice but to make the world one in which you can live even unarmed. Taro Yamamoto He may be inexperienced as a politician, maybe rough around the edges. That’s Taro Yamamoto, but he genuinely wants to do this. Taro Yamamoto I want you to pamper yourself—never blame yourself. Everyone’s already doing their best. Taro Yamamoto I want to create a society where simply being alive has value. Taro Yamamoto It’s not your fault that life is hard. It’s because politics is this stupid. Taro Yamamoto Regardless of the circumstances, when a decision must be made, I believe the best course is to stand firmly by my convictions. Yoshihide Suga Even the prime minister probably can’t accomplish big things alone. Without people to support them, nothing moves forward. Yoshihide Suga Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Yoshihide Suga An indecisive leader can even be harmful. Yoshihide Suga That’s fine—people should live their own way. Tarō Asō What matters in living as a human being is to wake with hope in the morning, work during the day, and sleep at night with gratitude. That’s how I feel. Tarō Asō Kindness isn’t just for others; it comes back around to benefit yourself. Tarō Asō If you look at a rainbow up close, it only looks like droplets of water. It looks like a rainbow because you’re seeing it from afar. In the end, it’s all about angle and distance. That’s why my work, too, can look completely different depending on the angle and distance from which you view it. Tarō Asō Anyway, a politician’s most important role is to put things into shape and get them seen. Yoshihide Suga No matter how much criticism I receive, I will stick to the path I believe in. Yoshihide Suga Grand causes come rolling in later, like loaded freight cars. Tarō Asō The attitude of refusing to listen to any criticism is wrong, but so is getting depressed when you hear it. Tarō Asō The biggest regret in life is not having tried. Tadashi Yanai My aspirations have not changed at all since the first time I set my sights on politics. Yoshihide Suga Strive not for success, but to become a person of value. Albert Einstein Even if you compare yourself to others and find yourself inferior, it is by no means something to be ashamed of. However, if you compare yourself to who you were last year and find that you are worse this year, that is truly something to be ashamed of. Konosuke Matsushita Love is doing small things with great love. Mother Teresa Have aspirations and stay true to your convictions Sanae Takaichi In the new year, even small things are fine—let’s set tasks for ourselves one by one and keep to them. Isn’t that the shortcut to building what we call our true selves? Kazuko Watanabe Hardships are the best trials that forge me. Sanae Takaichi If you’re afraid of criticism, you can’t change anything. Sanae Takaichi Laughed at, laughed at, I grow stronger. Osamu Dazai It wasn’t by chance that we made it back alive. This is our mission. Sandwich Man ...to be continued Resonating with the Heart! Famous Quotes Left by Great Japanese Figures (11–20) I believe that piling up small things is the only way to reach incredible places. Ichiro (Suzuki Ichiro) Ichiro Suzuki, the former professional baseball player affectionately known as Ichiro, gave us big dreams and deep inspiration.
He meticulously managed his schedule so as not to let anything interfere with baseball, and he even ate the same meals to eliminate uncertainties—his discipline is legendary.
Don’t you think this quote is so very him as well? Setting small goals for oneself, accomplishing them day by day, stacking them up, and ultimately achieving greatness.
It sounds simple, but I think it’s incredibly difficult.
The fact that Mr.
Suzuki can declare it and actually do it—he’s undeniably cool, isn’t he?
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It only becomes a failure because you stop where you failed. If you keep going until you succeed, then it becomes a success. Konosuke Matsushita These are the words of wisdom from Konosuke Matsushita, the entrepreneur who built Panasonic Holdings with his own hands.
Failure is an experience that leads to success—what a powerful way to see it.
Many people lose heart and stop moving forward when they fail.
However, if we can accept failure as experience, we might be able to try again and climb even higher.
Everyone who has succeeded has also experienced major failures and hardships—Mr.
Matsushita was one of them.
Words from people like that truly resonate with the heart.
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It can’t be helped. Oda Nobunaga Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese warlord known as one of the Three Unifiers alongside Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
He rose to rule the realm, but is known for his downfall due to the rebellion led by his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide.
“Zehini oyobazu” is a phrase said to have been spoken by Nobunaga during the Incident at Honnō-ji.
Its meaning is essentially “There’s nothing to be done.” Upon hearing that the rebel was Akechi Mitsuhide, he is said to have uttered these words.
Some interpret the phrase as an expression of resignation, while others see it as a forward-looking remark.
Either way, it’s a memorable saying that resonates with the heart.
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If you don’t give up, there will always be a way. Always. Sakichi Toyoda These are the words of Sakichi Toyoda, who supported Japan’s industrial development and laid the foundation for the future Toyota Group.
They reflect his determination to keep moving forward despite repeated failures and trial and error.
In study as well, we sometimes hit a wall and feel we can’t see the way ahead, but as long as we don’t give up, our thinking doesn’t stop.
As we persist, our perspective shifts and new solutions emerge.
It is those who continue to make steady efforts, no matter the circumstances, who find their path opens before them.
This is a powerful quote that supports not only perseverance but also the courage to believe.
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People who don’t think about what to do can’t foresee what will happen. Katsuya Nomura Katsuya Nomura, who excelled not only as a baseball player but also as a manager, was a legendary skipper who nurtured many star players.
This is a famous quote in which such a great manager speaks to the importance of the direction of effort and having a clear image of success.
He tells us that the first priority is to think carefully about what needs to be done in the present; that mindset leads to setting big goals and deciding on concrete directions for one’s efforts.
It suggests that rather than reckless hard work, you’re more likely to achieve your aims by building a solid plan.
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Talent is the ability to sustain passion. Hayao Miyazaki Hayao Miyazaki, known as the face of Studio Ghibli, has created works that have greatly influenced Japanese animation.
This quote, spoken by a figure who has left his mark on animation history, expresses his view on what talent truly is.
It powerfully conveys that the ability to sustain passion is itself a talent, and that those who persevere until results appear are the ones recognized by others.
Because maintaining passion over time is difficult, it feels like a talent—and these words also suggest that talent lies dormant within everyone.
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If you fail, you can try again. If trying again doesn’t work, think it through once more and try again.NEW! Konosuke Matsushita This quote teaches us that failure is a necessary experience for success and not the end of things.
These are the words of Konosuke Matsushita, a Japanese entrepreneur known as the “god of management.” From this saying, we can sense that even he, a successful figure, went through many failures and overcame them time and again.
When you feel your spirit may break after a major failure, or when repeated failures leave you on the verge of giving up, these words will support you.
It might be just right to think of failure as a chance to try something new and inventive.
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I want the children to have a normal school life and be able to graduate. Kimi Onoda These words emphatically convey that the future of Japan rests with its children, and that supporting those children is of paramount importance.
They declare a resolve to build a country where children’s lives aren’t defined by differences in environment.
The message expresses a belief that we must swiftly and reliably establish support systems for a normal school life, a normal graduation, and healthy daily living.
It underscores the value of children while clearly appealing for what the nation must do.
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Doing things without changing what I aim for Ryo Ishikawa The 2013 season, in which he took on the challenge as a member of the U.S.
men’s tour.
These were the words Ryo Ishikawa spoke as he carried great expectations and pressure.
He said it was important not to change his playing style in order to maximize his abilities in an unprecedented environment.
When the environment changes, the people around you change as well, so it’s hard to do everything as usual.
But how you keep from losing yourself in that situation leads to victory.
You can really feel Ishikawa’s strong will, as someone who has always played golf to win.
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We can’t have you resorting to force that easily. Katsuya Okada Here is a statement that clearly conveys Mr.
Okada’s view of the use of force.
For example, in the event of a Taiwan contingency, he laments the idea of resorting to force simply because one cannot pass through the strait and could just take a detour, or because semiconductors are unavailable.
He understands that using force lightly in situations that do not warrant exchanging human lives will ultimately lead to many lives being lost.
I felt that he possesses the qualities of a calm politician who sees the bigger picture.
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