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 Figures of Japan (21–30) Don’t rush. But don’t give up. Shigeta Saitō These are the words of Shigeta Saito, a psychiatrist who has supported many people’s hearts and conveyed ways of living through numerous writings.
When we keep making an effort, there are moments when we want to rush the results, but impatience narrows our perspective.
On the other hand, if we stand still and take no action, no progress can be made.
In studying, what matters is maintaining composure while not stopping your steps.
Even small steps, if continued, will surely move you forward.
It’s a famous saying that teaches us the value of trusting your own pace and persevering with tenacity.
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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.NEW! Katsu Kaishū After you’ve given everything you’ve got, all you can do is hope for success.
As Katsu Kaishū’s famous saying teaches, if there’s nothing more you can do, you just have to stay calm and let things take their course.
Being able to do that comes from having done all you can and having no regrets about the time you’ve spent.
Being able to feel that way is itself a kind of success, and an experience you need.
If you can say you’ve poured out all the strength you have, be proud of yourself no matter the result.
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Even if I face setbacks, I don’t lose my pride—that’s because I’m putting in the effort. Shigeo Nagashima These are the words of Shigeo Nagashima, who left countless records and memories as a leading figure in professional baseball.
Behind success lies time spent continually facing failure and setbacks.
In studying, too, when results don’t come as hoped, we may feel our confidence slipping—but the very fact that we are making an effort is something to be proud of.
Periods without results are times of building strength.
As long as we keep challenging ourselves, we can hold our heads high and face forward.
This quote affirms the self who is striving and gives us the courage to rise again.
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It’s not over when you lose. It’s over when you quit. Richard Nixon These words speak to the importance of continuing to move forward even when many people stop after defeat or failure.
Losing is not the end of life; if you refuse to give up and keep going, there’s still a chance to grasp the results you seek.
It tells us that the moment you falter and stop challenging yourself is the true defeat, and it embodies an indomitable spirit that persists until the results come.
It prompts us to consider the importance of resetting our mindset and the value of perseverance.
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You should have more faith in your talents and what you’ve done. Ichiro It teaches us the importance of not underestimating ourselves and having confidence in the effort we’ve built up.
The more things don’t go well, the more we tend to think, “Maybe I can’t do it,” but the time we’ve spent working hard has never been wasted.
For example, even when results don’t come in a sport you’ve practiced for years, believing in the effort you’ve made and continuing on can turn into strength.
In studying as well, those who have kept at it steadily are the ones who can demonstrate their abilities when it counts.
These words convey that believing in yourself becomes the foundation that supports your next step.
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Winning or losing is a small thing. What matters is whether you gave it your all. Shuzo Matsuoka People often say that in the world of competition, results are everything, but former professional tennis player Shuzo Matsuoka says that such a notion is trivial.
Of course, he doesn’t mean that results don’t matter at all; rather, there is something more important.
It’s how wholeheartedly you face the contest.
What makes you grow and become stronger is the process leading up to taking on the challenge.
Regardless of the outcome, by giving your all to something and seeing it through, you can cultivate true strength, can’t you?
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Since we are being kept alive, let’s simply feel grateful. We are kept alive because our lives are worth living. Jakuchō Setouchi Jakuchō Setouchi, who also served as the chief priest of Tendai-ji Temple and as president of Tsuruga Women’s Junior College, is also known as a novelist who received awards such as the Women’s Literature Prize and the Tanizaki Jun’ichirō Prize.
Here is one of her famous sayings to remember when you hit a major wall in life or find yourself in doubt: We can never live all by ourselves.
We are kept alive by the support of those around us.
And the reason we are kept alive is that we ourselves are recognized as people of worth.
Simply being alive is happiness, and something we should fundamentally be grateful for.
Why not tuck these words quietly into your heart and keep them as a charm?
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We read “failure” as “success.” Katsuya Nomura These are words by Katsuya Nomura—renowned in professional baseball as a player, manager, and strategist—expressing his view on failure.
He tells us that continual growth is vital to achieving success, and that failure can be a powerful catalyst for that growth.
Rather than giving up by focusing only on the outcome, it’s important to analyze the causes of failure and apply what you learn next time.
It’s a famous quote that conveys a positive mindset: don’t lament failure—keep moving forward without giving up.
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You should be honest with your feelings. Hideo Nomo These are words from Hideo Nomo, who had a successful career as a professional baseball player, speaking about the importance of staying true to your own convictions.
They’re known as words he shared when he was preparing to take on Major League Baseball, expressing an attitude of believing in yourself and embracing the challenge.
A key point is that many around him reacted critically to his attempt to go to the Majors, yet he forged ahead and succeeded precisely because he moved forward in that situation.
Above all, it teaches a credo of prioritizing your resolve and moving ahead so you won’t have regrets—a memorable quote about that stance.
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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 Uesugi Yōzan was a mid-Edo period feudal lord and the 9th daimyō of the Yonezawa Domain in Dewa Province.
These words are said to be a lesson he composed and gave to his retainers.
Both “為す” (nasu) and “成す” (nasu) are pronounced the same.
“為す” means to take action; “成す” means to accomplish something.
In other words, if you try, you can do it.
You can’t do anything if you don’t try.
If something can’t be done, it’s because the person doesn’t attempt it.
These words teach the importance of effort and taking action.
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