Yamamoto Quotes & Sayings

Colour disturbs people. I am confident in black, not in light. This dark side of life is attractive to me forever and from the beginning. I am a lazy designer when it comes to colour. — Yohji Yamamoto

Everyone lets the present moment slip by, then looks for it as though he thought it was somewhere else. No one seems to have noticed this fact. But grasping this firmly, one must pile experience upon experience. And once one has come to this understanding he will be a different person from that point on, though he may not always bare it in mind. When one understands this settling into single-mindedness well, his affairs will thin out. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

You cannot invade mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass. — Isoroku Yamamoto

The mindless rejoicing at home is really appalling; it makes me fear that the first blow against Tokyo will make them wilt at once ... I only wish that [the Americans] had also had, say, three carriers at Hawaii ... — Isoroku Yamamoto

Looking comparatively at the good things, you will see that they are not excluded from wisdom, humanity and bravery. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

In the highest level a man has the look of knowing nothing . — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Victory and defeat are matters of the temporary force of circumstances. The way of avoiding shame is different. It is simply in death. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

One should every day think over and make an effort to implant in his mind the saying, "At that time is right now." It is said that it is strange indeed that anyone is able to pass through life by one means or another in negligence. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Tether even a roasted chicken. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If I were afraid of getting hurt, nothing would change. Ibis — Hiroshi Yamamoto

I have found that the Way of the samurai is death. This means that when you are compelled to choose between life and death, you must quickly choose death. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

I think perfection is ugly. Somewhere in the things humans make, I want to see scars, failure, disorder, distortion. — Yohji Yamamoto

For me, a woman who is absorbed in her work, who does not care about gaining one's favour, strong yet subtle at the same time, is essentially more seductive. The more she hides and abandons her femininity, the more it emerges from the very heart of her existence. — Yohji Yamamoto

Death comes when memories are lost. — Hiroshi Yamamoto

Not to borrow the strength of another, nor to rely on one's own strength; to cut off past and future thoughts, and not to live within the everyday mind ... then the Great Way is right before your eyes. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Fashion is only complete when it is worn by ordinary people who exist now, managing their lives, loving and grieving. — Yohji Yamamoto

Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all black says this: "I don't bother you - don't bother me". — Yohji Yamamoto

I know nothing about how to win over others. I know only the way know the way to win over myself.
attributed to the (master) swordsman Yagyu, who was a teacher (and samurai?) to the Shogun himself. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Should hostilities once break out between Japan and the United States, it is not enough that we take Guam and the Philippines, nor even Hawaii and San Francisco. We would have to march into Washington and sign the treaty in the White House. — Isoroku Yamamoto

Traveling and other cultures provide me with great inspiration, especially unusual people and cultures totally unlike my own. They generate many new ideas for me. — Kansai Yamamoto

There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

One should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Just as it was pointless to argue whether birds or fish were superior, debating the superiority of man or machine was also meaningless. — Hiroshi Yamamoto

There is one transcending level, and this is the most excellent of all. This person is aware of the endlessness of entering deeply into a certain Way and never thinks of himself as having finished. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Go ahead and gamble a lie. A person who will not tell you seven lies within a hundred yards is useless as a man. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

There is also a schedule to fashion - the deadline is always set. So maybe the fashion business is a good business for me in that way because I'm basically lazy, man. — Yohji Yamamoto

With my eyes turned to the past, I walk backwards into the future. — Yohji Yamamoto

If you are unaware that the world is teeming with ineptitude from the beginning, you will develop a bitter countenance, and in turn others will eschew you. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Where did this baseless fear that robots would attack humans come from? Why were there so many stories about robots and humans fighting? Did they only exist because that was how mankind had always lived? Did we simply see ourselves in these humanoid machines? Were we not simply afraid of our own reflections? — Hiroshi Yamamoto

Japan has always regarded the aircraft carrier as one of the most offensive of armaments. — Isoroku Yamamoto

In the Kamigata area, they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

It is spiritless to think that you cannot attain to that which you have seen and heard the masters attain. The masters are men. You are also a man. If you think that you will be inferior in doing something, you will be on that road very soon. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

If one does not get it into his head from the very beginning that the world is full of unseemly situations, for the most part his demeanour will be poor and he will not be believed by others. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Do not rely on following the degree of understanding that you have discovered, but simply think, This is not enough. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Sincerity does not only complete the self; it is the means by which all things are completed. As the self is completed, there is human-heartedness; as things are completed, there is wisdom. This is the virtue of one's character, and the Way of joining the internal and external. Thus, when we use this, everything is correct. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

In the eyes of mercy, no one should have hateful thoughts. Feel pity for the man who is even more at fault. The area and size of mercy is limitless. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

When one has made a decision to kill a person, even if it will be very difficult to succeed by advancing straight ahead, it will not do to think about going at it in a long roundabout way. One's heart may slacken, he may miss his chance, and by and large there will be no success. The Way of the Samurai is one of immediacy, and it is best to dash in headlong. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

It is better to have some unhappiness while one is still young, for if a person does not experience some bitterness, his disposition will not settle down. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

I have no imagination about holidays, vacations, or retiring life. I can't imagine about those things. — Yohji Yamamoto

A pair of brilliantly cut cotton trousers can be more beautiful than a gorgeous silk gown ... — Yohji Yamamoto

One should be wary of talking on end about such subjects as learning, morality or folklore in front of elders or people of rank. It is disagreeable to listen to. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

All of us want to live, and that is absolutely natural. However, we should learn from childhood on to choose our best way to die. If we don't do that, we end up spending our days like a dog, only in search of harbour, food and expressing a blind loyalty to his owner in return. That isn't enough to make our lives have a meaning. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Although this may be a most difficult thing, if one will do it, it can be done. There is nothing that one should suppose cannot be done. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Today, as chief Of the guardians of the seas Of the land of the dawn, I gaze up with awe At the rising sun! — Isoroku Yamamoto

It is a principle of the art of war that one should simply lay down his life and strike. If one's opponent also does the same, it is a even match. Defeating one's opponent is then a matter of faith and destiny. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Respect, Honesty, Courage, Rectitude, Loyalty, Honour, Benevolence — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

As long as people overlook matters, then inferiors can, without any fear, lead an easy and peaceful life. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

By inconsistency and frivolity we stray from the Way and show ourselves to be beginners. In this we do much harm. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

A warrior should not say something fainthearted, even casually. He should set his mind to this beforehand. Even in trifling matters the depths of one's heart can be seen. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Purity is something that cannot be attained except by piling effort upon effort. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Japan would never invade the United States. We would find a rifle behind every blade of grass. — Isoroku Yamamoto

Adidas is a very personal inspiration to me. It has enriched my creative life. It's an exchange between different cultures, different ideas, and most of all, it is teamwork. — Yohji Yamamoto

Light matters should be dealt with seriously. Serious matters should be dealt with lightly. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

People believe in life after death because they are afraid of dying... But I do not believe in life after death BECAUSE I am afraid of dying. — Hiroshi Yamamoto

You believe that some people have dementia and some people do not, but that is not correct. All people have dementia - some are simply in worse condition than others. After all, most people with dementia are unaware that anything is wrong with them. — Hiroshi Yamamoto

To be fully alive is to have an aesthetic perception of life because a major part of the world's goodness lies in its often unspeakable beauty. — Yukitaka Yamamoto

What is called generosity is really compassion. In the Shin'ei it is written "Seen from the eye of compassion, there is noone to be disliked. One who has sinned is to be pitied all the more." There is no limit to the breadth and depth of ones heart. There is room enough for all. That we still worship the sages of the three ancient kingdoms is because their compassion reaches us yet today. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day one should meditate on being carried away by surging waves, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai: if by setting one's heart right every morning and evening, one is able to live as though his body were already dead, he gains freedom in the Way.
his whole life will be without blame, and he will succeed in his calling. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Be true to the thought of the moment and avoid distraction. Other than continuing to exert yourself, enter into nothing else, but go to the extent of living single thought by single thought. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

As everything in this world is but a sham. Death is the only sincerity. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

I write when something sticks in my craw. Writing is a compulsion - or an itch. — Hisaye Yamamoto

Truly intelligent beings do not drop bombs on innocent civilians. — Hiroshi Yamamoto

I always want to have a new challenge involved. I need to put myself to the test, and if I make mistakes, it doesn't matter. What matters to me, instead, is making my dreams come true and putting them on display. — Yohji Yamamoto

The fate of the Empire rests on this enterprise. Every man must devote himself totally to the task in hand. — Isoroku Yamamoto

There is nothing we should be quite so grateful for as the last line of the poem that goes, 'When your own heart asks. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

A brilliant man would find a way not to fight a war. — Isoroku Yamamoto

The more we possess, the more distant we grow from God. — Yohji Yamamoto

Generally speaking, I am not interested in the future and don't believe in it. First, I guess it is true that I don't trust the future, but, more to the point, I don't even trust the "myself" of tomorrow, nor, for that matter, of the day after. Basically, all I know, and all I am capable of understanding, is the "me" that is here, now, the "me" that has dragged his past with him to this point. — Yohji Yamamoto

I hate fashion. Or the word fashion, which sounds colorful, extravagant, expensive and gorgeous. I never wanted to walk the main street of fashion. I have been walking the sidewalks of fashion from the beginning, so I'm a bit dark. — Yohji Yamamoto

It is difficult for a fool's habits to change to selflessness. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Personally, I like to sleep. And I intend to appropriately confine myself more and more to my living quarters and pass my life away sleeping. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Bushido is realized in the presence of death. This means choosing death whenever there is a choice between life and death. There is no other reasoning. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

It is said that one should not hesitate to correct himself when he has made a mistake. If he corrects himself without the least bit of delay, his mistakes will disappear. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

When something out of the ordinary happens, it is ridiculous to say that it is a mystery or a portent of something to come ... the mystery is created in (their) minds, and by waiting for disaster, it is from their very minds that it occurs. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

A warrior is worthless unless he rises above others and stands strong in the midst of a storm. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Yamamoto said he thought you had to be able to hear how something did not work as part of a bigger thing to hear how it did and it was precisely because people couldn't hear that that they were willing to let movements be taken out of pieces. — Helen DeWitt

Continue to spur a running horse. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve. — Isoroku Yamamoto

To be modern is to tear the soul out of every thing — Yohji Yamamoto

The end is important in all things. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Learning is a good thing, but more often it leads to mistakes. It is like the admonition of the priest Konan. It is worthwhile just looking at the deeds of accomplished persons for the purpose of knowing our own insufficiencies. But often this does not happen. For the most part, we admire our own opinions and become fond of arguing. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

There was a man who said, Such and such a person has a violent disposition, but this is what I said right to his face ... This was an unbecoming thing to say, and it was said simply because he wanted to be known as a rough fellow. It was rather low, and it can be seen that he was still rather immature. It is because a samurai has correct manners that he is admired. Speaking of other people in this way is no different from an exchange between low class spearmen. It is vulgar. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

The best moments in my life are just before going to bed. Those are my happiest moments. — Yohji Yamamoto

Every day without fail one should consider himself as dead. There is a saying of the elders that goes, 'Step from under the eaves and you're a dead man. Leave the gate and the enemy is waiting.' This is not a matter of being careful. It is to consider oneself as dead beforehand. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Just listen to the material. What is it going to say? Just wait. Probably the material will tell you something. — Yohji Yamamoto

The heart of a virtuous person has settled down and he does not rush about at things. A person of little merit is not at peace but walks about making trouble and is in conflict with all. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

humans are fully capable of loving cats and dogs and tropical fish. If they can love something much less intelligent than humans that does not talk and looks nothing like them, why can they not love one another? Certainly, — Hiroshi Yamamoto

Matters of great concern should be treated lightly." Master Ittei commented, "Matters of small concern should be treated seriously. — Tsunetomo Yamamoto

Dirty, stained, withered, broken things seem beautiful to me. — Yohji Yamamoto

Even a burglar hesitates to go back for more. — Isoroku Yamamoto

A military man can scarcely pride himself on having smitten a sleeping enemy; it is more a matter of shame, simply, for the one smitten. — Isoroku Yamamoto

Bowie has an unusual face. He's neither a man nor a woman. There's this aura of fantasy that surrounds him. He has flair. — Kansai Yamamoto

The deepest love is often hidden. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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

The basic meaning of etiquette is to be quick at both the beginning and end and tranquil in the middle. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

Our bodies are given life from the midst of nothingness. Existing where there is nothing is the meaning of the phrase, "Form is emptiness." That all things are provided for by nothingness is the meaning of the phrase, "Emptiness is form." One should not think that these are two seperate things. — Yamamoto Tsunetomo

If people from their own country are killed, they may express surprise, grief, anger, and sympathy. But if ten thousand people are killed in a distant, far-off land, they will not be the slightest bit affected, particularly if it was their own doing. — Hiroshi Yamamoto