Haiku by Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578)

Written By David Thomas

Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578)

極楽も  地獄もさきは  有明の  月ぞ心に  かかる雲なき

Gokuraku mo/ Jigoku mo saki ha/ Ariakeno/ Tsuki zo kokoro ni/ Kakaru kumo naki

<English>

No matter which

I’ll go to

The heaven or the hell

My mind is clear

Like the sky at dawn

This is one of my favorite Haiku, and no matter what religion, philosophical belief or social construct you believe in, this should be your conviction, this is purity. Live without fear of consequence, always follow what is true.

David Thomas

“Rehearse your death every morning and night. Only when you constantly live as though already a corpse (jōjū shinimi) will you be able to find freedom in the martial Way, and fulfill your duties without fault throughout your life.”

— Yamamoto Tsunetomo

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