In the realm of real estate deals, there exists a peculiar breed known as “jimenshis” (land scammers).
Operating in a shadowy world often linked to organized crime, what were they thinking, and what words did they leave behind? Their famous lines as con artists intertwine the lure of money with the darker sides of human nature, leaving us with a complex aftertaste.
Here, we introduce some memorable quotes from jimenshis, also depicted in the work Jimenshitachi (The Land Scammers).
In the sayings of men who lived through the underbelly of the real estate industry, you may even sense a kind of philosophy.
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The swindlers’ cunning wordcraft: famous lines from psychological warfare unleashed by masters of deception (1–10)
…even though (they) were explaining it like that, in reality…Harrison Yamanaka
These lines clearly explain, with concrete examples, when and how people’s hearts are moved.
They highlight the immersive intensity of the film Die Hard and convey that its success came precisely from creating the unexpected.
It argues that such gaps between explanation and reality—the unforeseen—are what move people, and that by leveraging this, one can control them.
It also reveals Harrison’s eerie personality, as he seems to feel ecstasy at seeing people become frightened.
The value of things is, roughly speaking, something that changes from time to time.Harrison Yamanaka
These words convey that the value of anything fluctuates with timing, and they also prompt reflection on how scams work.
In the scene where this line is delivered, attention is drawn to whiskey: by comparing its price back then with its price now, along with the reasons for the change, it underscores the importance of assigning value.
It also argues that the value lies not in taste but in rarity, raising the question of what “value” really is.
The line also embodies a con artist’s mindset: if you skillfully leverage what people perceive as valuable, you can move large sums of money.
Isn’t it boring to just fiddle around doing things anyone could do?Harrison Yamanaka
These words, spoken by Harrison to everyone on the team, reveal his desire to feel the thrill of accomplishing something great.
He insists that the greatest pleasure comes precisely when you overcome the difficulties of a huge task—one that no one has ever achieved.
Con artists are often seen as people who just want money, but here he claims it isn’t about the money, which makes Harrison come across as even more unsettling.
It’s clear that because people with this mindset gathered together, the situation escalated into an even bigger incident.
The bigger the target is, the easier it is to aim at.Harrison Yamanaka
The saying “the bigger the target, the easier it is to aim at” is a very positive one, isn’t it? In life, there are times when we must make big decisions.
At such moments, most people shrink back out of fear of failure.
But perhaps those who accomplish great things need an imagination that gets excited about positive outcomes and the courage to decide boldly.
Of course, this should be done while consulting one’s conscience, but it’s a phrase I want to keep in mind for times that call for big decisions.
Human history, to put it simply, is a history of fighting over land.Harrison Yamanaka
These words are strangely convincing and persuasive.
Indeed, if we trace human history, it feels as though everything stems from the ambition to expand one’s territory.
That desire spreads and develops culture, while also giving rise to conflict.
It may be a famous saying that aptly captures such a human saga.
In every era, people have been captivated by the allure of land, repeatedly trialing and erring.
Reflecting on that trajectory, learning from the failures of our predecessors, and at times gaining hints for seizing opportunities—these words carry a profound meaning.
Because to gain something, you usually have to lose something.Harrison Yamanaka
The idea that “to gain something, you must give something up” is also called a trade-off mindset.
Put the other way around, someone who can’t let go of anything can’t change anything—in other words, perhaps the point was that without that level of resolve, you can’t gain anything.
Of course, no one truly knows.
Maybe you can have both.
Still, when you take on something big, we should keep in mind that such determination and mental stamina are necessary.
Big bait and big traps lure big game.Harrison Yamanaka
These words are characteristic of Harrison Yamanaka, who enjoys hunting as a hobby.
If you prepare big bait and big traps, naturally you’ll catch bigger game than with small ones.
And there’s probably an implied meaning that “there’s a great thrill—and the ecstasy that comes with it.” This might be an almost magical phrase of temptation, or it could be a lesson saying, “Make the proper preparations if you want results.” The message resonates: to achieve big outcomes, you must spare no effort in planning and preparation, and you need the courage to face fear.