Blossom In Shadow

A collection of quotes, sayings and poems from the samurai. For anyone who shares my love of Sengoku era Japan or Japanese fighting arts and philosophy. Please check out my other blog Hidden Amidst The Leaves, for anyone who has a love for the ninja, ninjutsu or is a fellow practitioner. I focus on the Bujinkan, but all schools are encouraged to view. *disclaimer - none of these are my images. They all came from the internet and I do not own any of them. If I am using yours please contact me and I will take it down*

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“Always listen to yourself. It is better to be wrong than simply to follow convention. If you are wrong - no matter. You have learned something and you will grow stronger. If you are right, you have taken another step towards a fulfilling life.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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“There is nothing outside of yourself that can ever enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter - nothing…. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.”

Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

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“Someone who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in their every action.”

Samurai Maxim

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“Get beyond love and grief; exist for the good of Man.”

Miyamoto Musashi

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“It is a good viewpoint to see the world as but a dream.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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“To give a person an opinion one must first judge well whether that person is of the disposition to receive it or not.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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“Life is not so important when forced to choose between life and integrity.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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“Human life is truly a short affair. It is better to live doing the things that you like.”

Inazo Nitobe

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“A lot of times this principle is misunderstood, the principle is actually make preparations as if you’ll live forever - but live this day that you’d be proud if it was your last.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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Keep em coming. I'm liking everything your dishin out right now.

Thanks, I'm trying to put together some new ones. I've been gone for quite some time

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“A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm.”

Yamamoto Tsunetomo, The Hagakure

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“Put faith in your abilities; not in the stars.”

Samurai Maxim

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“To know and to act are one and the same.”

Samurai Maxim

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“Tomorrow’s battle is won during today’s practice.”

Samurai Maxim

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“The sword has to be more than a simple weapon; it has to be an answer to life’s questions.”

Miyamoto Musashi, The Book of Five Rings

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“We train for a thousand days - whether we win or lose is decided in an instant…”

Samurai Maxim

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“Sword and mind must be united. Technique by itself is insufficient, and spirit alone is not enough.”

Yamada Jirokichi