Kyūjūkyū Kakun: The Ninety-Nine Rules of the Takeda Clan by Takeda Nobushige is a profound exploration of the principles that guided one of Japan’s most revered samurai clans. This historical text delves into the ethical, strategic, and moral codes that shaped the Takeda clan’s legacy, offering a unique glimpse into the mindset of a warrior society during Japan’s feudal era. Authored by Takeda Nobushige, the brother of the famed warlord Takeda Shingen, the book serves as a guide to leadership, discipline, and honor, reflecting the clan’s unwavering commitment to Bushido, the way of the warrior. Each of the ninety-nine rules provides timeless wisdom, offering insights not only into the martial practices but also into the daily life and governance of the samurai. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of martial arts, or someone interested in the philosophical underpinnings of samurai culture, this book is an invaluable resource that continues to resonate with readers across centuries.
Takeda Nobushige
Takeda Nobushige ( 1525-1561 ) was the younger brother of the famed Takeda Shingen, warlord of Sendai, head of one of the most powerful clans in Japan during the latter part of the Warring States period ( 1467-1568 ). Nobushige, renowned as both warrior and scholar, wrote these rules in 1558 for his eldest son as a guide to proper moral behavior.
Each rule is accompanied by a relevant quotation from the Chinese classics, and the text thus served as a textbook for educating young warriors of the Takeda clan.
Learning is not just to enrich the body, it is also the base for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of one’s descendants. Because of this book of learning, one can recognize heaven and understand the past. How can this not be the way of sincerity? How can one know universal truth without such a book? The way will become clear with this book. Is this not a wondrous thing?
1. You must not commit treachery against your lord.
It is written in the Analects of Confucius, “A gentleman-scholar never parts from the way of virtue no matter how preoccupied, nor does he neglect the way of virtue in times of emergency.” Also, “You must serve your lord with all your heart.”
2. Never be a coward in battle.
Wu-tzu says, “If one clings to life, he will lose it. If one is willing to forfeit his life, he will live.”
3. Never hesitate to be courteous.
It is written in the Shih Chi , “If the master is of good deportment, his retainers will follow him willingly. If his conduct is not good, his orders will not be obeyed.”
4. One must aim to be valorous at all times.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “Under a strong general, there will be no weak soldiers.”
5. Refrain from telling lies.
In the oracle of the gods it has been said, “Honesty may not always be helpful, but in the long run it will be the best policy.” In the case of strategy, however, it depends on the situation. Sun Tzu says, “Even if at full military strength, avoid direct confrontation and defeat the enemy by being unpredictable.”
6. Always be dutiful to your parents.
It is written in the Analects , “Do your best to be obedient to your parents.”
7. You should not scheme in even the smallest way against your brothers.
It is written in the Hou Han Shu , “Brothers are your left and right hands.”
8. Do not speak of things outside your competence.
Yin Hang says, “A man is known by the words he utters.”
9. Never be rude. Especially to priests, women, and the poor, always be polite.
It is written in the Li Chi ( Book of Rites ), “With courtesy, a man’s life is stable; without it, dangerous.”
10. Training in the warrior arts is very important.
The Analects of Confucius say, “It is harmful to engage in activities outside your profession.”
11. Never neglect your studies.
It is written in the Analects , “Learning without thinking is darkness. Thinking without study is dangerous.”
12. Be familiar with the art of verse.
A poem says, “A closed heart remains concealed. Being open leads the way to greater development.”
13. Pay close attention to the etiquette of ceremonies.
It is written in the Analects that even the master himself inquired [about the rites] at temples he visited.
14. Do not overindulge in refined pleasures.
It is written in the Shih Chi , “An excess of alcohol leads to disorder, an excess of joy results in misery.” It is written in the Tso Chuan , “Banquets should not be poisonous.” Also it is said, “Good things are good, and virtue should be revered while lust contained.”
15. Never reply rudely to a man who asks a question.
It is written in the Analects , “Take care not to destroy the bond of trust when associating with friends.”
16. Always be patient.
It is written in the I Ching , “Kanshin’s great feat was to persevere after the humiliation [of being raped] as a child to become a great warlord.”
17. In matters both great and small, never violate the orders of your lord.
It is written in the Analects , “Water forms to the shape of its vessel.”
18. Do not ask for fiefs or assistance from your lord.
In the Tso Chuan it says, “Reward without merit is unjust gain and leads to calamity.”
19. Do not pass time complaining or gossiping.
An old proverb says, “If you are poor, do not flatter; if you are rich, do not be haughty.”
20. It is important to be benevolent to your retainers.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “Your subjects are like your own hands and feet.”
21. When a retainer is ill, be concerned and pay him a visit, even though this may cause some inconvenience.
It is written in the Liu T’ao , “Tend to your men as you would to your own thirst.”
22. Do not neglect loyal retainers.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “If the master cannot discern between right and wrong, retainers of merit will lose all interest.”
23. You should not forgive those who slander others. However, verify such information through the use of spies and deliberate [before acting].
It is said, “If you support the good and set aside the bad, the masses will follow.”
24. Be open to righteous remonstration.
The ancients said, “Good medicine is bitter tasting, but is effective treatment. Faithful words are harsh on one’s ears, but improve one’s conduct.” It is written in the Shang Shu , “When a piece of timber is cut along the grain it will be straight, and when a master listens to remonstrance he will be a gentleman-scholar.”
25. When retainers are still loyal, but unavoidably fall into distress [and are unable to carry out their duties], their master should give them the necessary assistance.
It was said, “If you are planning to reside in a place for one year, plant the five grains. If your plans are for ten years, plant trees. If your plans are for life, there is nothing more important than sustaining your retainers.”
26. Never come and go as you please through the back entrance of the master’s palace.
It was said, “Father and son do not sit in the same rank, neither do men and women” [one must know one’s place and make the distinction].
27. A man who is alienated from his friends should make efforts to understand the way of humanity.
In the Analects it says, “Do not deviate from the way of virtue even for the time it takes to eat a meal.”
28. Do not neglect everyday duties.
It was said, “If you have time and energy left after executing your duties, you should study.” When attending to your duties, first go to where your peers are gathered and then retreat to the rear. It is essential to know your place. The ancients said, “After three days absence, do not expect others to be the same as they were before. This is even more so in the case of the gentleman-scholar.”
29. Do not gossip in front of others, even with an intimate companion.
It was said, “Consider a matter three times before speaking of it. Consider a matter nine times before acting on it.”
30. One must thoroughly study Zen meditation.
It was said, “There are no special secrets to the practice of Zen. One only needs to be aware of the importance of life and death.”
31. When the master departs for home, he should send a messenger before him to announce his return. Otherwise, when he suddenly appears home, he may witness his servants’ negligence and would have to scold them. Upon making a careful examination into the details of such matters, there would be no end to them.
Confucius said, “It is perverse to execute a person without first educating them [about right and wrong].”
32. A retainer should not feel disgruntled about his master’s coldness toward him, no matter how unreasonable it may seem.
It is said, “The retainer must act as a retainer even if the master does not act as a master should.” It is also said that, “The person hunting a deer [in the depths of the mountain] is unable to see the mountain.” Also, “A junior should not make judgements regarding a superior.”
33. In punishing a retainer, if the crime is small, a scolding will suffice. If the offense is grave, the retainer must be executed.
T’ai Kung said, “Nip any evil in the bud, or you will have to use an axe.” Severe punishment given on any occasion will make the retainers apprehensive. It is written in the Lü Shih Ch’un Ch’iu , “Too strict a rule will not be observed; too many prohibitions will not be obeyed.”
34. Do not delay in presenting an award to a retainer. In rewarding a retainer, the master should be pleased whether the deed is great or small.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “In rewarding merit, no time is to be wasted.”
35. Make an effort to confirm in detail the good or bad things that happen in your province and elsewhere.
It is said, “If you do not learn from the past, nothing will last.”
36. Do not cast any extra burdens upon the peasants beyond their quota of labor.
It is written in the Liu T’ao , “Oppression from above causes great hardship below. If taxes are increased, crime will proliferate and people will lose all morality.”
37. Never disclose rumors of mishaps in the family to outsiders.
An old proverb goes, “Good news doesn’t leave the gate, but bad news travels far.” It is written in the Pi Yen Lu , “The difficulties experienced by a house should not be discussed beyond the house.”
38. When utilizing men, use them according to their abilities.
The ancients said, “A good carpenter will not cast timber aside, a good general will not abandon his men.”
39. Carefully prepare your battle equipment.
The ancients said, “A nine-storied tower begins with a foundation.”
40. When heading for the front, do not be even a day behind your master.
The ancients said, “A soldier should be distressed at hearing the gong [to retreat], and should be overjoyed to hear the drum [to advance].”
41. Take good care of your horse.
It is written in the Analects , “Dogs protect men from enemies, and horses work for men. They are to be looked after.”
42. When confronting an enemy, attack the points that have not been prepared.
It is said, “The man who defeats the enemy does so by attacking unpreparedness.” And, “A house with tradition will attack the enemy without giving a moment’s respite.”
43. Do not chase the enemy too far.
It is written in the Ssu-ma Fa , “In chasing the enemy, do not break up the ranks. Avoiding this will save confusion in your own army, and men and horses will not be wasted.”
44. If your army is winning a battle, it is advisable to continue pushing through, not giving the enemy a chance to rally. If all the enemy forces have not been destroyed, there is a danger that they will regroup.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “An attack should be just like the rising of the wind.”
45. At the dawn of battle, a master should treat his men harshly. By doing so, they will become enraged and fight violently against the enemy.
It is written in the Ssu-ma Fa , “A weak enemy should be made to obey and conform as is the nature of water. A strong, vigorous enemy should be treated with the same respect and fear as fire.”
46. Do not praise the enemy’s strength in front of your own troops.
It is said, “Do not allow anyone to talk of the enemy’s strong points.”
47. Do not allow your men to defame the enemy [and thereby enrage them].
It was said, “Arouse a wasp and it will come at you with the ferocity of a dragon.”
48. Do not show a weak attitude even in front of relatives or attendants.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “Servants and warriors will not respect a man who has lost his valor.”
49. Take care not to maneuver excessively.
It was said, “Too many wishes will lead to nothing. What is to be gained from going too far from the natural course of things?” Also, “To go too far is as bad as not going far enough.”
50. When intending to take the enemy by surprise, avoid the major roads and take the lesser ones.
It is said, “When you are in a position easily seen by the enemy, take the secret roads. When in a position not obvious to the enemy, attack them by the main road.”
51. When asked about something, sometimes it is better to feign ignorance.
In the Analects it is written, “Even if it is something desirable [it can be troublesome, so] it is better to be without it.”
52. A master should forget a retainer’s crime if he repents after being admonished.
The Analects say, “Recognize the sincerity of a man who has decided to progress and learn from his past failures.”
53. Although a father may be punished on account of his unpreparedness, if his sons are loyal and meritorious, they should be spared the wrath of their lord.
It was said, “The calf of a brindled ox may have red hair and fine horns. Even if you do not want to use it, do not dispose of it.”
54. When deploying troops, it is necessary to discern which enemy to make peace with, which enemy to destroy, and which enemy to conquer.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “Strategy depends on the type of enemy.”
55. A gentleman-scholar should refrain from fighting.
Confucius said, “A gentleman-scholar has nothing to fight over, but if he must, should it not be at an archery contest?”
56. Be careful to discern accurately between right and wrong.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “If the good deed of one is disregarded, the meritorious deeds of all will decline. If one evil deed is praised, all will revert to evil.”
57. When provisions arrive at the front, the food should be divided amongst comrades-in- arms in small amounts.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “When there were consignments of food and wine, a great commander of old would pour the wine into the river and drink [water] with his men.”
58. You cannot succeed in writing without great effort.
It is said, “Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
59. Even if your theory is entirely reasonable, do not persist in it to a man of superior status.
There is a saying that goes, “When words are many, one’s position is weakened.”
60. Do not fight over a mistake. What is important is what you do after making the mistake.
Confucius said, “Never hesitate to correct an error.” Also, “Making a mistake and not correcting it is the real error.”
61. Even if you have carefully considered a plan, you should take heed when a contradictory opinion is offered.
It is said, “An opinion offered in good faith should be gladly accepted in good faith.”
62. Do not disregard the elderly, regardless of their status.
The ancients said, “Respect the aged as you do your own parents.”
63. When going to the front, finish your meal during the night, and be as alert as if you were confronting an enemy once leaving the gate until returning home.
An old saying goes, “Caution is your castle, and negligence is the enemy.”
64. Refrain from associating with those of poor conduct.
In the Shih Chi it says, “If you do not know a man’s character, consider the nature of his friends.” And, “A man should not mix only with those of high status, shunning those of low station. The bush warbler that flits from blossom to blossom smells their fragrance without becoming attached to them.”
65. Do not be too suspicious of others.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “Calamity in a great army arises only from deep mistrust.”
66. Do not criticize others’ mistakes.
It is said, “Bestow commendation on others.”
67. Instruct retainers not to be jealous.
It is said that leaving doors unlocked invites robbers, and thick makeup incites sensuality.
68. Do not flatter.
It is written in the Liu T’ao , “If a man is in a high position, flattery will cause disorder and calamity among the troops.”
69. Do not be late by even a moment when summoned.
It is said, “When summoned by your lord, set off without even waiting for the carriage.”
70. Military secrets and spying activities should not be disclosed to others.
It is written in the I Ching , “Harm will result from a secret that is not kept.” It is written in the Shih Chi , “Strategy succeeds through secrecy; [the reality reflected by] words is destroyed through divulgence.”
71. Take pity on humble men.
It is written in the Shang Shu , “The lord’s duty is to govern virtuously to protect [the well-being of] the masses.”
72. Believe in the gods and Buddha.
There is a saying that goes, “One who acts in accord with the Buddha’s mind will be protected, but the man who lends himself to wickedness to gain ascendancy over others will eventually fall.” Also, “The gods do not help those who are disreputable.”
73. When your allies are on the verge of defeat, be roused to fight all the more.
In the Ku-Liang Chuan it says, “If your strategy is thoughtfully prepared, you need not fight. However, if you must fight and do it well, you will not perish.”
74. Take no notice of one who is intoxicated.
It is written in the Han Shu , “Once, Ping Chi, who was the secretary for the high counselor, had his carriage knocked into by a drunkard, but he did not so much as scold him.”
75. Be fairly disposed toward all.
It is written in the Hsiao Ching , “Heaven and earth do not change the movement of time for the sake of one special person. The sun and the moon do not dim their light for the sake of one special person. A great lord does not change the law for the sake of one special person.”
76. Use a sharp sword, not a dull one.
It is said that you cannot cut through bone with a dull sword.
77. While walking around your neighborhood, be constantly aware of what is happening around you.
Chen Fen said, “One invites disaster by being imprudent.”
78. Endeavor never to take a person’s life.
It is written in the San Lüeh , “The support of the people allows one to govern a state and bring peace to the families of the realm. The loss of the people results in the loss of the state and the destruction of the families of the realm.”
79. After retiring from your profession, avoid becoming a burden to your children.
It is written in the Pi Yen Lu , “Pick up your carrying pole [to take up your possessions] and conceal yourself out of the way, deep in the mountains.” Also, “Refrain from trying to distinguish yourself by advancing principles of good and evil. Cease involving yourself in criticizing the evil ways of the world.”
80. Do not become excessively devoted to leisure activities such as hawking, or going on excursions. Doing such things will only waste time and hamper the accomplishment of your duties.
It is said, “If you are constantly concerned with worldly troubles, you will forget the values of your family.”
81. When out on an excursion, do not lose sight of yourself and others and become careless.
It is said, “When weighing something, take note of the weight of the object only, and do not give so much as a thought to the beauty of the measuring device.”
82. When issuing orders to retainers during bad weather, be compassionate.
Confucius said, “A lord should avoid the busy seasons when he drafts people [for official duty].”
83. When confronting an enemy of one thousand men, attack using one hundred men from the flank.
It is said, “It is more effective for one man to unlock the gate than for one thousand men to break it.”
84. Refrain from discussing battle plans indiscriminately.
An old saying goes, “Things explained based on hearsay will be mistaken.” Another old proverb states, “Even a slight initial difference will be exaggerated to become as great as the gap between heaven and earth.”
85. Even if you do not know the secrets of strategy necessary to win a battle, often it is advisable to pretend to know.
An old saying goes, “A man who was rumored to be as heavy as a cauldron is found to be as light as a hair.”
86. Listen to what the lower classes are saying in the way of criticism but refrain from becoming angry with them. Then discreetly devise appropriate plans of action.
It was said, “Things are not always what they seem [and require careful consideration].”
87. When the master returns home from the battlefield, the retainer should reach home before his master.
It is said, “Take as much care at the end as in the beginning.”
88. A man should not interfere with a colleague’s affairs regardless of how close they may be.
An old saying goes, “He who dips his hand in cinnabar will be stained red, and those who touch ink will be stained black.”
89. Refrain from discussing matters of food or trade in front of others.
An old saying goes, “The quality of metal is tested by fire, and that of a man by what he says.”
90. Think carefully before requesting a favor, even if you are on intimate terms with someone.
The ancients said, “Being greedy for one more cup of wine, one may cause the loss of the whole boatload of fish.”
91. Refrain from keeping to one group.
Confucius said, “A gentleman-scholar makes many friends and is never critical, whereas a man with a small mind is critical and makes few friends.”
92. Even within a group of intimate companions, refrain from discussing indecent things. It is better to leave discreetly if the tone of the conversation turns to such.
It was said, “Determine your own mind, and vanquish the spirit of others by laughing at them.”
93. Refrain from criticizing people in the presence of others.
It is written in the Chan Kuo Ts’e , “Speak well of another’s good points; do not mention his bad ones.”
94. Practice calligraphy.
An old saying goes, “The great events of the Hsia, Yin, and Chou Dynasties have been recorded for posterity thanks to the writing system.”
95. In making reparations, pay a part from your own labor, and the other part from your fief. If you pay only from your fief, problems will arise.
An old saying goes, “When walking, we don’t lift both feet at the same time.” It is also said, “The spring sun shines evenly, but the flowers that receive the light grow to various sizes.”
96. Even if the enemy’s forces are many, attack if their defenses have been neglected. Moreover, be wary of attacking a small enemy if their defenses are well prepared.
Sun Tzu says, “Do not attack a well-defended camp, nor attempt to stop a well-arranged attack. To strike at such a force, keep in mind the snake of Mt. Ch’ang. When its head is struck, its tail will attack in response; and when its tail is struck, its head comes around to strike. When its body is struck, it counters with both its head and tail. There is a strategy for fighting such an enemy.”
97. A virtuous warrior should not behave outlandishly.
Confucius said, “A gentleman-scholar who lacks solemnity will lose his authority.”
98. Always be alert.
It is written in the Analects , “I reflect upon my conduct three times every day.” Also, “Do not part with your sword even when in the company of your wife.” It is said, “The sword that takes life, gives life.” It is also said, “Do not have the grime washed off your face and hands by another.” Also, “A lantern should not be lit without caution.”
99. Do not become tired of things [duty].
Mencius said, “If you persevere and do not grow tired of things, you can enter into the ranks of gentleman-scholars.”
The above ninety-nine articles are wordy and would be burdensome to others. They are not to be divulged carelessly. They should be regarded as my last testimony to you.
Herein lies the secret oral tradition of the House of Takeda.
Nobushige Takeda
