Resonating with the Heart! Memorable Quotes Left by Great Figures of Japan (51–60)
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
In the world of competition, you either win or lose.
In sumo, that contest can be over in an instant.
In such moments, there are times when you feel it’s all over.
But through this famous quote, Taiho teaches us that what matters is what comes next.
If you can take just one more step when you think you can’t, if you can endure, the moment that leads to victory may arrive.
A strong heart that never gives up, no matter the circumstances, is the key to drawing victory closer.
It’s a quote to remember especially when you’re in a do-or-die, on-the-edge situation.
Sumo is something you learn by losing. There’s no sumo you learn by winning anywhere.Asashōryū Akinori
Because these are the words of Asashoryu—who holds a top-division record of 596 wins, 153 losses, and 76 absences—they truly resonate.
Winning is something to be proud of, but perhaps what we really need when we reexamine ourselves and break out of our shell is “defeat.” It’s precisely because we feel the sting of losing that we gain lessons, and it’s those lessons that enable us to grow.
Even when you win, rather than simply rejoicing, ask yourself if there wasn’t more you could have done… By thinking that way, your victories, too, may become invaluable experiences.
I will strive every day, believing that a day will come when we can say that this experience also had great significance.Hakuho Sho
The yokozuna Hakuho canceled the press conference he had scheduled for the day after winning the championship on the final day.
His reason was consideration for his wife.
Their fourth child, who had been on the way, had a heartbreaking outcome, and his wife was deeply hurt at the time.
If he held the press conference under those circumstances, he would surely be asked about the child, which would only add to her distress—so he chose to cancel.
The quote in question expresses Hakuho’s feelings about that sad event.
Though the sorrow can never truly heal, many may find encouragement in his forward-looking attitude born from his deep love for his wife and child.
Rather than staking my life on sumo, it is within sumo that my very life exists.Kōji Takanohana
These are words left by Takanohana after he retired and became a stablemaster.
When we see someone working earnestly and giving their all, we may be tempted to say they are “risking their life,” but this quote conveys that, for the person themselves, it isn’t necessarily so.
For him, sumo itself was like life… that’s how closely his life and sumo were intertwined.
These are words that could only come from someone who has felt positive change and joy through sumo.
I, too, would like to find something in life that I can express in this way.
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.
So what if you lose once or twice? If it’s the right thing, I’ll keep saying it three or four times. Candidate for the Tokyo at-large district in the House of Councillors, Shun Otokita #おときた駿
It expresses a determination that adults will take responsibility for protecting the future of generations who cannot vote yet.
Children and those yet to be born cannot participate directly in politics.
Yet choices about the environment, education, and social security will certainly affect their lives.
That is precisely why those of us living now must serve as their advocates and bring voices for the future into politics.
The message is that politics is not only about “the present self,” but also about caring for “someone in the future.” These words teach us that it is an action taken with the happiness of the next generation in mind.
A professional never makes excuses, no matter what.Chiyonofuji Mitsugu
[Chiyonofuji’s Resolve] “Collect the returns on your effort three years later”: 100 selections of a pro’s no-excuses philosophy for overcoming weaknesses [Famous Quotes of Great Figures]
There may be many people who make excuses when they lose.
They don’t want to be blamed or disappoint others because of their defeat, so they’re tempted to pin the cause of the loss on something other than themselves.
But Chiyonofuji voiced a firm resolve that professionals are not allowed to do that.
By eliminating excuses—external conditions, health, judges’ decisions—he focused all his energy on action.
And when he lost, he accepted the facts and confronted his own shortcomings.
He called this mindset a philosophy of personal responsibility, and stated that it leads to true strength.
Chiyonofuji’s famous quote: “The sweat you shed never lies.” #GreatFigure #Yokozuna #shorts #SumoWorld #All-TimeRecordHolder #Sumo #58th #Rikishi #Chiyonofuji #Quote
When does sweat run down our bodies? You might break out in a sweat due to changes in temperature or from fear, but if we’re talking about a sumo wrestler’s sweat, it’s surely the sweat shed during training.
Sumo is a world of competition—matches are often decided in an instant.
To rise to that decisive moment and demonstrate their true worth, wrestlers must train not only their bodies but also their minds to the utmost.
Chiyonofuji’s famous quote seems to say that tireless effort becomes one’s confidence and can, in turn, become the certainty of victory.
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
【Quotes to increase your self-worth】Taiho #2 #shorts
Everyone feels good when they’re on a roll.
It feels like everything is going your way.
But life isn’t an endless uphill climb.
Even Taihō, who left us these words, lost the bout that would have given him a record 69 consecutive wins.
That match is known as the century’s great misjudgment and led to the introduction of video review.
There was an official objection to the decision, but after deliberation, Taihō was handed the loss.
He naturally had regrets, but after the bout he said, “It was my fault for fighting like that.” A person’s true worth is decided when they’re in a tight spot… a quote worth remembering.
Diet Debate Video Highlights: Budget Committee (July 18, 2003)
War is a major problem that, despite being condemned as bad and undesirable around the world, stubbornly persists for the sake of the interests, pride, and selfishness of a select few.
In Japan, the constitution establishes a pledge not to wage war, yet even so, the country ends up supporting wars indirectly or risks being drawn into them.
In this context, the words Mr.
Okada clearly conveys express the truth that, whatever the reason, war is nothing other than state-sanctioned killing.
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
[Katsuya Channel] Excerpt from the political broadcast video
Mr.
Okada’s view that a politician should exist not to forcefully push through policies or drag the public along, but as a mediator who aligns people with one another is very sound, and it also seems imbued with the traditional Japanese ideal of cherishing harmony—an outlook long held by a people living on an island nation.
Politics rarely proceeds in such a manner, but it would be wonderful if the Centrist Reform Union to which Mr.
Okada belongs could conduct politics in this style, grounded in such ideas and convictions.
