The stone monument of Lord Ieyasu's teachings

Japanese Park |Beautiful Japanese culture!| Okazaki Park#03 -The stone monument of Lord Ieyasu’s teachings

岡崎公園シリーズ#03「東照公遺訓碑」


Do you know about Japanese parks? In Okazaki Park, there is a stone monument called “Toshoko Ikun Hi”. At 4T-AMKY, Teachers and Students write about Japanese culture, food, history, many spots to visit, and other stuff. Enjoy reading and knowing about deeper Japanese culture!


Okazaki Park#03 – The stone monument of Lord Ieyasu’s teachings

Precepts

There is a very large, eye-catching stone monument in front of the Okazaki Castle tower. It is called “Toshoko Ikun Hi” and is inscribed with the famous life precepts of Ieyasu Tokugawa (“IYEYASU’S TEACHINGS ON THE CONDUCT OF LIFE”).

A thick stone which is inscribed with Ieyasu’s teachings is on the back of a large stone turtle, and six dragons are engraved at the top of it. It was such a beautifully engraved monument with the crisp expression of the turtle, the patterns of the turtle’s hands and shell, and even the scales of the dragon that I felt it was very powerful.

On the side of the monument, there is an explanatory board that describes the origin of the monument’s construction. It was written by the mayor of Okazaki.

According to it, this monument was contributed to Okazaki City by Kenjiro Kato, who founded the Okazaki Bank and contributed to the development of the economic world as the president of the Okazaki Chamber of Commerce and Industry. And it is said that he took Ieyasu’s teachings as his lifelong motto and he built the monument to help strengthen and nurture the citizens.

When I read the teachings, I felt that they were exactly right and they really hit home for me. Although they were written about 400 years ago, they are not old-fashioned at all and can be understood today. I also wanted to live with them as my motto, always being aware of them.

On the explanatory board, the content of Ieyasu’s teachings was also introduced in English. Here is a quotation from it in English. I hope you enjoy it.


IYEYASU’S TEACHINGS ON THE CONDUCT OF LIFE
Man’s life is like going on foot a long way bearing a heavy burden, with no need to hurry. Remember that absolute satisfaction is denied mortals, and you will be contented. If you are ruled by avarice, call to mind the needy circumstances you were once placed in.

Forbearance is the root of peace and prosperity, and if you forget sufferings and defeat, you will be ruined. Be severe in criticizing yourself and be lenient with others. To fall short is better than to go too far.
January, 15, 1603

A man should know himself!
Even the weight of a dewdrop, Bows down a blade of grass.


Explanatory board of Lord Ieyasu's teachings
Explanatory board of Lord Ieyasu’s teachings

岡崎公園シリーズ#03「東照公遺訓碑」

人生訓

岡崎城天守閣の前にとても目を引く大きな石碑があります。「東照公遺訓碑」と呼ばれ、徳川家康の有名な人生訓が刻まれています。

大きな亀の背中に遺訓を刻んだ分厚い石が乗り、最上部には6頭の龍が彫り込まれています。きりりとした亀の表情、亀の手や甲羅の模様、更に龍の鱗の一つ一つまで見事に彫刻された石造物ですごい迫力を感じました。

碑の側に東照公遺訓碑の建立の由来が記された説明板がありました。岡崎市長さんによるものです。

それによると、この碑は岡崎銀行を創立し、岡崎商工会議所会頭として経済界の発展に寄与された加藤賢二郎翁が岡崎市に寄与したものだとあります。翁は終生家康公の遺訓を座右の銘とされ、市民の強化育成に資するため建立したのだそうです。

遺訓を読んでみるとまさにその通りだと思え心にストンと落ちました。約400年前に書かれたものですが全く古臭くなく今の時代にもそのまま通じます。そして私もこれを座右の銘として常に意識しながら暮らしていきたいと思いました。

説明板にはこの遺訓の内容が英語でも紹介されていました。その英語をそのまま引用してご紹介します。どうぞ味わってみてください。


東照公遺訓
人の一生は重荷を負(おい)て遠き道を行くがごとし。いそぐべからず、不自由を常と思えば不足なし、こころに望(のぞみ)おこらば困窮(こんきゅう)したる時を思いだすべし。堪忍(かんにん)は無事長久(ぶじちょうきゅう)の基(もとい)、怒りは敵とおもえ、勝事(かつこと)ばかり知りて、ま(負)くることしらざれば害(がい)其(その)身(み)にいたる。おのれを責(せめ)て人をせむるな、及ばざるは過(すぎ)たるよりまされり。

慶長8年正月15日
人はただ身のほどを知れ草の葉の 露も重きは落つるものかな


Ikuyo.K.


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