A SAMURAI IN THE CLASSROOM

In a moment of solitude late one afternoon in a peacful,  undisturbed silence while grading papers, I sensed the presence of a distant ancestor with me in the classroom, there she was, a samurai standing by the observation bee hive, but unseen, nudging me to intuitively engage my students in the manner of samurai.  Into this stream of consciousness came to me a  Japanese proverb, now popular in the art world of tattoos. 

It is important, before going any further, to frame my understanding of a Samurai In The Classroom. To begin, bushido, the seven samurai virtues, are the same as how I ideally see teachers at work with their students. (Click HERE)  

 

Nanakorobi yaoki

Fall down seven times get up eight -- Japanese proverb

Though not specifically linked to bushido, the samurai code, this proverb reveals the soul of Japan alive today.  It may be that all Japanese people are descendants of samurai clans.

This proverb reflects a crucial, compelling and shared Japanese ideal: "Nanakorobi yaoki" (translates to: seven falls, eight getting up) means fall down seven times and get up eight. This is the Japanese concept of resilience.  This is one way of living that I want my students to carry away from their time in school with me.

The presence of Nanakorobi yaoki was considerable, like a strong wind, as I walked with the people of Hiroshima a few years ago, the dignity of Fall down seven, get up eight was everywhere.

Note: This can be pronounced in two ways. One is “shichi ten hakki” or “shichitenhakki.” The other is “nana korobi ya oki” also written, “nanakorobi-yaoki.”

Years later, when asked by our young docent why we were drawn to the Samurai Museum in Shinjuku Tokyo,  I replied: "My grandfather's grandfather was a Kobayakawa. His eyes widened, then he exclaimed: "Let me go get the owner, he wants to meet you!" He returned quickly with a wisened white-haired man a few steps behind who was even more animated, which was puzzling until he said:"The Kobayakawa were a powerful samurai clan during the Sengoku period"

 

Kobayakawa Takakage, a samurai and daimyō was so highly regarded as a statesmen that he was appointed to the Council of Five Elders by Toyotomi Hideyoshi who was himself regarded as the second 'Great Unifier' of Japan.  The Kobayakawas were highly respected for their administration of politics in Western Japan."  

 There is an ancient family cemetery up the hill behind our Kobayakawa family home in Niimi Okayama. 

I visited with them one brilliant cerulean sky afternoon.  (go to 5:51 to 7:48  in the documentary below.)"

I visited with them one brilliant blue sky afternoon.  (go to 5:51 to 7:48  in the documentary below.)

Photo below:  The oldest family markers, (round) are in the back row, the earliest Kobayakawa samurai to be honored are here. As the generations passed, a second row was added in front for their descendants.

Video credit:  Toby Ishihara Kobayakawa Manzanares  

Next visit: Ask to see the Kobayakawa Kokocho (Memories of Japan)

 

But what do loyal warriors, who fearlessly stride into combat, do when they have children and grandchildren of their own?  They must fearlessly engage their progeny, raise them to be exemplary members of the community, show them how to make better the lives of people whom they touch.

These are the next gen samurai who walk into the epic struggle to make our world a better place.