Yojokun: Life Lessons from a Samurai

by Kaibara Ekken, William Scott Wilson (Translator)

The dawn of the 17th century saw peace descend on Japan. With the value of their martial skills on the decline, the samurai sought new spiritual, moral, psychological, and physical moorings. Tsunetomo Yamamoto, author of the now-classic Hagakure , combined a Confucian sense of justice with a
Zen-influenced abandonment of the ego to espouse loyalty and death as paramount qualities of the samurai's calling.
Kaibara Ekiken (16301714), a samurai physician with philosophical and Buddhist leanings, took the opposite approach. He sought ways for a healthier, more rewarding life. In his Life Lessons from a Samurai , he collected six decades of study and observation to compile one of the most
remarkable commentaries of his age.
Ekiken's sweep was vast. In Yojokun , he combined his knowledge of holistic health, the principles of chi (the material force that pervades all things) and jin (human heartedness), Buddhism, Confucianism, and the art of living. He addressed concerns that ran from mental and physical health to
spiritual matters. His discourses examined the intake of food and drink, sexual practices, sustaining stamina and health in old age, overindulgence and restraint, bathing and healthy habits, and more. And throughout his discussion he wove a subtle but potent spiritual and philosophical thread.
Yojokun offers startlingly profound and fresh insights into many of the same problems that concern us today. Translator William Scott Wilson notes Ekikens relevance for the 21st The Yojokun , then, is not just a vestige of quaint Orientalia, but rather a living guide to a traditional Way
of life and balanced health. If we do not immediately understand some of its more exotic prescripts, it may be wiser not to dismiss them outright, but to approach the work as Ekiken himself might with humility, curiosity, respect, and imagination.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Martial Arts, Japan, Medicine, Japanese Literature

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Kaibara Ekken (貝原 益軒) or Ekiken, also known as Atsunobu (篤信)

Reviews

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

In some ways, this book was like reading the ten commandments for 240 pages. Thou shalt not eat these foods when it is cold outside, nor drink these beverages when it is cold. These are the foods to avoid when it is warm, and on and on and on and on and on ad nauseum.

And then there were moments of humor. No doubt in Ekiken's opinion, he was very serious when he stated many of his life lessons. He died in 1714 and he reported the truths as he saw them through his 16th centruy eyes. But from the 21st century perspective, lessons such as:

1. Never sleep with your feet facing your father's bed
2. You should not bathe on an empty stomach.
3. You should not wash your hair on a full stomach (What??? Two showers needed now... one for washing and one later for hair?)
4. If you eat ginger in the 8th or 9th month, you will have trouble with your eyes the following spring.

And then again, there are many similarities between what he states and what we know as a whole foods diet today. Eating sparingly of meat, focusing on vegetables and fruit in your meals. Limit the number of side dishes and sauces to keep your stomach pleasant. Limit your wine consumption. These are all still adhered to today.

So while I only give this book three stars, I defend myself thus: It was boring for the most part. Lots of repetition. Lots of repetition. Lots of repetition. But it was also very interesting to see how our views have changed and/or stayed the same since Ekiken wrote this book with only the best of intentions in 1710 - exactly 300 years ago.

If I was judging solely on historical charactertistics, I would have given it four stars. Entertainment value alone would have netted it 1 or 2. Expanding my horizons and enriching my brain as long as I could keep my eyes open while reading it? A solid three stars. Go ahead and read it... enjoy the glipse back in history, but by no means should this be taken to heart as a recipe for a healthy life... science has gone beyond Ekiken.

[Olivier Goetgeluck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MASTER IS THE MAN WHO WARMS UP THE OLD, BUT UNDERSTANDS THE NEW.

The sages did not treat those who were already ill; they treated those who were not yet ill. They did not regulate that which was already in chaos; they regulated that which was not yet in disorder. LISTEN, THIS IS WHAT HEALTH AND BALANCE IS ALL ABOUT.

Move about as often as possible or practical.

The everyday mind, this is the Way.

Avoid overexposure to things that can damage your body:
1. inner desires
2. negative external influences

Seek pleasure in your mind alone, and use external nourishment like food and drink lightly.

All evil stems from doing whatever you like vis-a-vis your desires.

Self-control and overindulging. The foundations of good and evil.

Not to develop self-control over your desires is an error on your part.

In protecting your health, one single word rules supreme: RESPECT.

The mind is the master of the body. You must make this master PEACEFUL AND CALM.
The body is the servant of the mind. You must make is MOVE AND WORK.

The educated gentleman's activities are focused on the root rather than the branches.

Different people have different vocations. They polish a vocation and add technique to their Way. For all vocations there are techniques in which you should become well versed. If you do not master the techniques, you will be unable to perform the tasks at hand. Even among the most trivial and humble accomplishments, if you do not have a command of the techniques, you will be incapable of the task.

The common practice for learning a technique is to SEEK OUT A TEACHER, receive the teacher's instructions, and learn the proper techniques.

Events fall into two categories, the usual and the unusual. During the usual course of things, you behave as usual. Unusual arises, put the unusual into play.

Become a person of few words.

Collosal misfortunes occur from being unable to endure the moment.

Your persevere, then bear it with pleasure.

You must single-mindedly commit yourself to being victorious BEFORE the battle occurs.

There's nothing better for nurturing your body than cutting down on your desires.

The body should exert itself. It should not take too much rest.

Throughout a single day, be circumspect of that day alone. In this way your life will be long, and in the end you will suffer no disasters.

If you have patience, you are certain to have results.

A person with spirit in his eyes will live long.

If you make a mistake, bring yourself to account once, but do not grieve over that mistake a second time.

For the most part, both good and bad arise from habits.

When people today damage their lives by letting their desires run rampant, they are cutting their own throats. Theirs may be a slow deterioration rather than a quick death, but it is DEATH BY THEIR OWN HAND nonetheless.

Do not seek or await perfect beauty; find a little pleasure in what is already there.

You should not talk of things of no use.

You should not remain seated for long periods of time.

The secret is in the single word DECREASE. Decrease your desires.

Nurture your essence.

Breath should always be slow and drawn deeply into the tan'tien. This should not be done quickly.

Keep the mind calm and the body moving.

Soups are the very best.

Even if you are at a banquet given by another man, you should not eat food that does not appeal to you.

We are born with many desires, so when you reach the point where you think you have restrained yourself too much, that should be just about right.

What you practice for a long time will become part of your character. What becomes a habit is difficult to mend, even over an entire lifetime.

If you find nothing lacking, then what you have at present should be sufficient.

Better to get up late in the cold months and early during the hot months.

When you have nothing essential to do, keep your eyes closed. (after age of 40)

Always keep disease in mind.

Taking good medicine once you've become ill,
does not equal taking care of yourself beforehand.

A moment of extreme comfort, disaster in the end.

To be mindful of the end, be mindful at the beginning.

When a person's hand and feet weaken, become numb, and lose sensation, he can be likened to a rotten tree that has lost his true integrity. (Move your dna hand weakness and walking/manipulating on different surfaces.)

To study an art, you should make scholarship your foundation. If you do not, your technique may mature but the principles behind them will remain murky and your art will remain at a low level.
IF YOU HAVE NO SCHOLARSHIP BEHIND YOU, YOU WILL NOT UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN MISTAKES. (DELUSIONAL)

There's no one who has understood the Way who has not studied extensively.

If you control your internal desires, protect yourself from the negative external influences, are mindful of your daily activities, and move or rest at the appropriate times, you should be able to preserve the years given to you at birth.

Wise old man quotes:
You should be able to understand everything from this example.
All things should be just like this.
People with many desires but no mindfulness are unable to use this method.
If you do this every morning, it will become a habit after a while and you will be able to perform it without difficulty.

This is an excellent method.

Physical + mental + spiritual.

[Yun Rou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Wilson's translations of Japanese/Chinese classics for Tuttle/Kodansha have, over the years, proven to be elegant and satisfying works. Bill has a scholar's mind and a restrained and elegant hand in translation. He also has a great passion for Japan and all things Japanese, travels there often, and has made that country the focus of his life the way I have done with China. I recommend all the books in this series.

[William Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kaibara Ekiken was a 17th century Renaissance man. He was a widely traveled and respected medical doctor. Most of his pronouncements are outdated, but he does have some good advice when it comes to temperance. Kaibara reminds me of Benjamin Franklin in that regard, but perhaps he was more likely to practice what he preached.

I enjoyed the book. Thanks for reading my review and see you next time.

[Rachael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive. Didn't enjoy this one very much.

[Daryl Muranaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting little medical book for the average reader from 300 years ago. A lot of the advice is familiar if you have an annual physical (don't eat too much, don't drink too much, moderate exercise, proper rest, etc.). I often found myself wondering what my father-in-law would think (he's a primary care physician) as a good amount of what is in the book is also what he says. Timeless things aside, there are a number of things that are 300 years old and out of date.

[AURORA RU · Rating 2 out of 5]

Galvenais:
"Pie savvaļas pīles neēd valriekstus un Jūdas ausi.
Zvirbuļa gaļu neēd ar aprikozēm.
Ērgļpapardi neēd kopā ar amarantu.
Pie mīksto bruņu bruņurupuča neēd amaranta zaļumus.
Neēd meloni ar trekniem ķiļķeniem.
Zemeņkoka augļus neēd ar neapstrādātiem sīpoliem.
Un visbeidzot - ķirbi neēd kopā ar samu."

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off great, then it got a little too ancient. Plus, it drives every point home way too many times. Still worth the read though.

[Arthur Rosenfeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of Bill Wilson's books are worth a read. He's a fine translator and interpreter of these Asian classics, most of them Japanese.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disagreed with about 90% of it.

[Joan Ward]

Fantastic book for beginning stages of understanding 'Chi'.