Takeda Shingen, the famed warlord feared as the “Tiger of Kai,” is also known for leading the Takeda army, reputed to be the strongest of the Sengoku period.
While he projects the image of a ferocious general, he also devoted himself to domestic governance, earning the respect and affection of his retainers and subjects.
What’s more, did you know that the name “Shingen” is his Buddhist name taken after taking the tonsure, and that his real name was Takeda Harunobu?
This time, we introduce some of the famous sayings left by Takeda Shingen.
They are stern yet imbued with kindness—definitely worth a look!
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Famous for “Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain”! The sayings (1–10) of Takeda Shingen, the Sengoku warlord feared as the Tiger of Kai.
When you give it your all, you come up with ideas; when you’re half‑hearted, you complain; when you’re sloppy, you make excuses.Takeda Shingen
Some of you may find the famous quote, “When you give it your all, wisdom emerges; when you do things halfway, complaints come out; when you’re careless, excuses appear,” a bit hard to hear.
Human behavior and thinking are often heavily influenced by motivation, so if this resonates with you in a negative way, take caution.
Also, knowing this quote might make you notice such tendencies more in others as well.
It’s a piercing saying that can prompt you to reflect on your own mindset.
Be especially cautious when making the final push.Takeda Shingen
A famous saying that truly feels worthy of a Sengoku warlord: “It’s precisely at the final push that you must be most cautious.” In battle, the moment you relax because you think you’ve won is when your guard is at its lowest.
The same holds true in modern society.
Many of us have experienced making an unexpected mistake right before achieving something.
This saying, likely born in an era when lives were on the line, teaches us the importance of staying careful until the very last moment and tightening our focus precisely when we feel we’re almost there.
A person who says something three times and changes their words each time is a liar.Takeda Shingen
A aphorism that succinctly judges a person’s character says, “Someone who changes their words three times when speaking three times is a liar.” As the saying goes, if someone responds with different words each time when asked the same thing or given the same reminder, you wouldn’t know which words to trust.
If they are seen as lacking consistency in their thinking and beliefs and merely saying whatever is expedient in the moment, they will lose trust.
If this rings a bell for you, perhaps take a moment to reflect on your own words, actions, and way of thinking.
For a leader, treating retainers with a compassionate heart is of the utmost importance.Takeda Shingen
A quote I want anyone who becomes a group leader to etch into their heart: “For a general, treating retainers with compassion is of the utmost importance.” It might seem a bit unexpected as the words of Takeda Shingen, the commander of the Takeda army reputed to be the strongest of the Sengoku era, but perhaps this was precisely the secret to forging a powerful organization.
When people rise in rank, some become overbearing toward their subordinates, but this teaches us that such an approach leads nowhere.
It’s a quintessential Takeda Shingen maxim that places supreme value on human harmony.
People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moat; compassion is an ally, and malice is an enemy.Takeda Shingen
At first glance, the famous saying “People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moat; compassion is an ally, enmity is an enemy” seems like a phrase unique to the Warring States period.
It means that human harmony is stronger than fortifications, and that depending on how you treat them, people can become either allies or enemies.
Indeed, the dynamic in which kindness wins people over while unreasonable harshness breeds resistance exists in modern society as well.
It is truly a quote that reflects the thinking of Lord Takeda Shingen, who was beloved by his subjects.
For humans, scholarship is like the leaves that grow thick on the branches of a tree.Takeda Shingen
No matter how much knowledge or skill one acquires, it merely adorns a person and does not constitute their very humanity—this is the lesson of the saying, “For human beings, learning is like the leaves that abound on the branches of a tree.” We tend to equate high ability with a great person, but this reminds us of the importance of looking beyond the surface to discern one’s inner character.
That said, the effort invested in developing abilities is also part of one’s humanity, so we should avoid taking an overly extreme view.
He who is praised by ninety-nine out of a hundred is not a good man.Takeda Shingen
The saying “If ninety-nine out of a hundred praise you, you are not a good person” makes us question whether someone who’s liked by most people is truly good.
Everyone has different ways of thinking and different tastes, and to be liked by many, you may have to suppress yourself and go along with others.
Someone who hides their true self like that can’t really be called a good person, can they? People who always go their own way may also find life hard, but these words teach us that we need the courage to assert our convictions to some extent.