Yamaoka Tesshū, also known as Ono Tetsutarō or Yamaoka Tetsutarō, was a famous samurai of the Bakumatsu period, who played an important role in the Meiji Restoration. He is also noted as the founder of the Itto Shoden Muto-ryu school of swordsmanship.
Yamaoka Tesshu Quotes
1. “As a samurai, I must strengthen my character; as a human being I must perfect my spirit.”
— Yamaoka Tesshu
2. “Thirst for victory leads to defeat; not tiring of defeat leads to victory.”
— Yamaoka Tesshu
3. “If you want to obtain the secrets of such wonderful techniques, drill yourself, harden yourself, undergo severe training, abandoned body and mind; follow this course for years and you will naturally reach the most profound levels. To know if water is hot or cold you must taste it yourself.
— Yamaoka Tesshu
4. “Zen is like soap. First, you wash with it, and then you wash off the soap.
— Yamaoka Tesshu
5. “Do not think that this is all there is. More and more wonderful teachings exist.
— Yamaoka Tesshu
6. “The world is wide, full of happenings. Keep this in mind and never believe ‘I’m the only one who knows.’
— Yamaoka Tesshu
7. “The moon does not think to be reflected, nor does the water think to reflect, in the Hirosawa Pond.
— Yamaoka Tesshu
