Kyūjūkyū Kakun, 99 Rules

[shootingbates]

Hi everyone

Been in the background watching this mod for 2 years,
VVVVVVVVVVVVV good job!!!!!
I am a but don't worry, I won't ask for a release date.
Was wondering if anyone knew what the Kyūjūkyū Kakun by Takeda Nobushige are?

Does anyone actually have a copy of the 99 Rules?

If so could someone upload them just for interests sake?

Cheers

[Wundai]

99 rules? that would be alot of pages!

[shootingbates]

The supposed to be short Proverb types phrases:hmmm:

Anyone know them, can't find anything on the web ,
Google failed for once

[Turtules]

Google never fails, and if it's copyrighted we can't post it up on here, and thank you for finally speaking out about the mod and not asking for a release date.

[Shogun144]

Hi all,

Well here is an article I found on Samurai Archives Citadel that includes some excerpts from the 99 Articles. Enjoy!


OPINIONS IN NINETY-NINE ARTICLES



Takeda Nobushige (1525-1561 A.D.)



Takeda Nobushige was the second son of Takeda Nobutora, and it was to him that his father had wanted to pass on the fief when Takeda Shingen revolted. Nobushige is said to have sided with Shingen in this matter, and Shingen, for his part, supported Nobushige after this event and placed great faith in him, entrusting him with much of the fighting in Shinano. At the battle of Ka*wanakajima in 1561, Shingen's main force had been out-maneu*vered by Uesugi Kenshin, and Shingen himself was in danger when Nobushige with his small force arrested the enemy advance of about 3,000 men. Shingen's headquarters were saved, but Nobu*shige was cut down in the action and died at the age of 37.

The Ninety-Nine Articles were written down by Takeda Nobu*shige three years before his death for the benefit of his son. Written in kanbun, they are a tour de force of the educated warrior, each precept followed by a relevant quote, usually from a Chinese classic. There is no particular order, and the subject matter ranges from injunctions against carrying a dull sword to encouraging belief in the gods and Buddhas.

This selection from Takeda's work was also included in the Koyogunkan as a part of the Takeda clan's legacy. The Koyogun*kan is given two chapters in this study because it was probably the most widely read book of bushi origin during the Edo Period, and because it was appended and put into its present form' by Obata Kagenori (1572-1663), from whose school of martial studies a number of important writers and philosophers emerged, among them Daidoji Yuzan and Yamaga Soko. Obata himself was the son of one of Shingen's retainers, employed by the Tokugawa after the Takeda clan's demise. After disciplining himself in the martial arts, he took leave of the Tokugawa and traveled the country, testing himself. He participated at both the battle of Sekigahara and the fall of Osaka Castle, thus receiving much of his knowl*edge of martial affairs first hand.


Opinions in Ninety-Nine Articles from
Kotenkyu to His Son and the Elders
(Selections)



One must never be perfidious to his master. In the Lun Yu it says, "One should act according to the Way even in times of haste. One should act according to the Way even in times of dan*ger." It says further, "When one is serving his master, he should exert himself."

One should not exhibit the least bit of cowardice on the battle-field. In the Wu Tzu it says, "He who would save his life shall lose it, and he who would give up his life shall save it."

One should take care in his activities so that he will be with-out negligence. In the Shih Chi it says, "If the master acts cor*rectly, his retainers will perform well, even if given no commands. But if the master acts incorrectly, even though he gives commands they will not be followed."

One should exert himself in the martial arts absolutely. In the San Lueh it says, "There are no weak soldiers under a strong general."

One should not tell a lie in any situation whatsoever. In the oracles of the gods it has been said, "Although truth may not be rewarded at once, in the end it will receive the compassion of the gods and Buddhas." In battle, however, shouldn't one act accord*ing to the circumstances of the moment? In the Sun Tzu it says, "Avoid the enemy's strength, strike at his weakness. "2

One should not be the least bit unfilial toward his parents. In the Lun Yu it says, "In serving one's parents, one should use all his strength."

One should never treat his brothers carelessly. In the Hou Han Shu it says, "One's brothers are his right and left hands."

One should not utter a word about his own inadequacies. In the Oko it says, "When a man lets out a single word, the long and short of him will be known."

One should not use rough manners with anyone. With priests, women, children, the poor, and the elderly, one should be all the more polite. It is said in the Li Chi that, "One is safe when polite, but in danger when ill-mannered."

It is essential to develop one's self in the martial arts. In the Lun Yu it
says, "To study the heretical will only be damaging."

One must not be negligent in Learning. In the Lun Yu it says, "To study and not to think is darkness. To think without study is dangerous."

One should endeavor not to be negligent in any matter concern*ing deportment. In the Lun Yu it says, "When Confucius entered the ancestral temple of the Chou, he asked about everything."

One should not be excessive in refined pleasures. In Shih Chi it says, "When the banquet is in full swing, there will be confusion. When pleasure is at its height, sorrow appears. In the Tso Chuan it says, "High living is like drinking poisoned sake: it is unthinkable." Again, it says in the Lun Yu, "One should respect virtue as he loves a beautiful woman."

In matters both great and small, one should not turn his back on his master's commands. In the Lun Yu it says, "Water will conform to the shape of the vessel that contains it, whether it be round or square."

One should not ask for gifts or enfiefments from the master. In the Tso Chuan it says, "Reward without merit is unjust gain, and is an invitation to disaster."

One should neither grumble nor gossip. In the Lun Yu it says, "One should not flatter because he is poor, or be haughty because he is rich."



*********



One should not turn his back on reproof



******


It is essential to act with compassion toward one's retainers. In the San Lueh it says, "Using the people is like using one's own hands and feet."

When a retainer is ill, one should go to visit the man with real concern, even though it may cause one some inconvenience. In the Chun Chan it says, "One should attend to his warriors as he would to his own thirst."

One should not forget his retainer's loyal deeds. In the San Lueh it says, "When good and bad are considered the same, re*tainers of merit will lose interest."

One should not turn his back on reproof. In the words of the ancients, "Good medicine is bitter to the mouth, but has effect on the disease. Faithful words hurt one's ears, but have value for one's conduct." Moreover, in the Shu Ching it says, "When the wood follows the inkline, it will be straight. When the master follows a remonstrance, he will become a sage."

When one's retainers are not without loyalty, and for some un*avoidable circumstances are in difficult straits, the master should give them assistance for a while. An old proverb says, "If one plans to abide in a place for one year, he should plant the five grains. If his plan is for ten years, he should plant trees. If one's plans are for his whole life, there is nothing like sustaining his retainers."

One should not go in and out of the palace by the back gate on his own business. An old saying has it, "Father and son do not sit in the same rank, nor do men and women sit together."

A man who has been alienated from his friends should make en*deavors in the Way of humanity. In the Lun Yu it says, "One should not deviate from the path of humanity for even the time it takes to eat his meal."

One must not be rude when being questioned about things by another. In the Lun Yu it says, "When one is mixing with friends, should not his words be sincere?"

One should not be lazy in attending to his everyday duties. In the Lun Yu it says, "If one has energy left after endeavoring in virtue, he should study."

Note: When one is attending his duties, he should at first go to where his fellows are gathered, and later withdraw to the rear. In short, it is essential for a person to consider well where he should be. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "One should not think that his companions will be the same after not meeting them for three days. This is true all the more for a Gentleman."3

No matter how intimate one may be with another, he should not gossip about trifling things in front of him. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "Think over a matter three times before let*ting out a word; think it over nine times before acting."

One should make endeavors in Zen meditation. There is a say*ing of the ancients that goes, "There is no particular secret to Zen. It is simply making a settlement of the matter of life and death." One should on no account tell people of other clans about the wrong-doings that have occurred in one's own. There is a saying that goes, "Good news never leaves the gate, but bad news travels a thousand miles."

At no matter what time of the day one returns to his home, he should send a messenger ahead of him announcing his return. When one comes home suddenly and witnesses the negligence of his servants, he will have to rebuke them. Moreover, if one made a searching examination into the details of such matters, would there ever be an end to them? In the Lun Yu it says, "It is criminal to pass the death sentence without first instructing about right and wrong."

No matter how unreasonably the master may treat a man, he should not feel disgruntled. In the Hsiao Ching it says, "Although one may think that the master is unfitting for his position, a re*tainer must do the work of a retainer." It is also said that, "The man who hunts a deer does not gaze at the mountains." It is fur*ther said that, "An underling does not pass judgments on a super*ior."

Concerning the chastisements of servants, if the crime is small, it should be left off with a rebuke. For a grave offense there is no doubt that a man should lose his life. Chiang Shih4 said, "If one would prevent the bud from leafing, he must, in the end, use an ax."

Note: If the death sentence is passed often for simply lesser crimes, will not men lose their wills, according to the circum*stances? In the Lu Shih Ch'un Ch'iu it says, "If the law is too strict, it will not be listened to; if prohibitions are many, they cannot be carried out."

One should not levy on the farmers more than their predeter*mined amount of labor duty. In the Chun Ch'an it says, "If there is oppression from above, there will be disruption below. If the people are heavily exploited, there will be no end to death sen*tences and they will kill each other off."

In the presenting of awards, no matter whether it is great or small, it should be done at once. In the San Lueh it says, "In the reward of merit, time should not pass by."

In putting people to use, one should assign them tasks accord*ing to their abilities. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "A good carpenter will not throw wood away; a good general will not discard a warrior."

There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "It is painful to hear the gong commanding a retreat, but a joy to hear the one that announces an advance."

One should not be negligent in having his armor in good order. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "A nine-story tower begins with the foundation."

When heading for the front, one should not be even a day be-hind the commander. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "It is painful to hear the gong commanding a retreat, but a joy to hear the one that announces an advance."

One should groom his horse well. In the Lun Yu it says, "As a dog protects a man, and a horse labors in his stead, they are ani*mals that do him good service."

When facing opposing forces, one should attack the place that has not yet been secured. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "The man who defeats the enemy often is he who does not win by means of formation." There is another saying that goes, "It is the custom of our clan to simply dash in at full speed, and give the enemy no respite."

During a battle, one should not chase the enemy far. In the Szu Ma Fa it says, "In chasing the enemy, one should not leave the ranks. By doing so he will bring confusion to his unit, lose order in his column, and waste men and horses."

If one's forces are winning a battle, it is better to push right on through without giving the enemy a chance to rally. While all of the enemy forces have still not been crushed, there is yet a chance for them to recover. In the San Lueh it says, "An attack is like the rising of the wind."

One should not praise the vastness or strength of the enemy in front of others. In the San Lueh it says, "One should not allow a man to speak of the good points of the enemy."

One's soldiers should not yell abuse at the enemy. An old saying goes, "Arouse a bee and it will come at you with the force of a dragon."

When a battle is approaching, one should treat his men roughly. Their anger thus accumulated, they will fight fiercely. In the Szu Ma Fa it says, "When one is dealing with a weak and powerless person, he should handle that person as though handling water. When dealing with the powerful and mighty, he should use the same respect as when handling fire."

One should never display a weak attitude, even though he may be with sympathetic relatives or retainers. In the San Lueh it says, "If a man loses his courage, his servants and soldiers will lose their respect for him."

One should not be fond of maneuvering too much. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "Wishing for too much, one will, in the end, get nothing. Why be fond of going too far from what is natural?" Moreover, in the Lun Yu it says, "Excess is the same as insufficiency."

When one would make a surprise attack on the enemy, he should avoid the major roads and seek out the lesser ones. Then attack. An old proverb says, "When easily seen, one should take the bypaths; when not easily seen, the whole army may be moved."

In all things, even though a person asks after one, is it not better to turn a blind eye? In the Pi Yen Lu it says, "Even if it is something one likes, it is better to be without it."

One should not fight over every incident that comes along. In the Lun Yu it says, "The Gentleman does not contend. If he does, is it not in something like an archery match?"

One should judge good and evil well. In the San Lueh it says, "If one good deed is disregarded, the good acts of all will decline. If one evil deed is praised, all will return to evil."

When food provisions arrive at the camp, one should distribute them bit by bit to those in service around him. In the San Lueh it says, "When the good generals of long ago were in charge of their soldiers, if wine was sent, they had it all thrown in the river. They then drank water from the streams like everyone else."

If one never makes an effort, it will be difficult to come up in the world. In the Lao Tzu it says, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

No matter how reasonable one's argument may be, he should not persist in it to a man of high social status. There is a saying that goes, "When words are many, one's position is damaged."

One should not torture himself over a single mistake. What is essential is one's presence of mind hereafter. In the Lun Yu it says, "When one makes a mistake, he should not be hesitant to correct it." It says further, "Making a mistake and not correcting it, this is a real mistake."

One should not have contempt for the elderly, regardless of their rank. In the Lun Yu it says, "One should respect the elderly as though they were his own parents."

One should not associate with people whose conduct is poor. In the Shih Chi it says, "If you don't know a man's character, in*vestigate who his friends are." There is another saying that goes, "A man should not mix only with the high or the low. The bush warbler that flits from flower to flower smells their fragrance with-out becoming familiar with them."

One should not doubt people too much. In the San Lueh it says, "Vacillation is nothing less than disaster for an army."

One should not criticize the mistakes of others. There is an old saying that goes, "Bestow on others what you yourself are fond of."

One should not carry maliciousness in his heart. In the Chun Ch'an it says, "If a malicious man is in a high position, his troops will fight among themselves to the last man."

When summoned by the master, one should not be the least bit tardy. In the Lun Yu it says, "When Confucius was summoned by the prince, he went off without waiting for his carriage."

One should not tell secrets to others, whether they be of mili*tary plans or otherwise. In the I Ching it says, "If the secret is not kept, there will be harm." In the Shih Chi it says, "Matters are brought to maturity by means of secrecy, words, when leaked out, are brought to nothing."

One should believe in the gods and Buddhas. There is a saying that goes, "When one is in accord with the Buddha-mind, he will often have strength added to him. The man who defeats others by evil means will in the end fall as he deserves."

When the army of one's allies is at the point of defeat, one should strive all the more. In the Ku Liang Chuan it says, "He who lays his strategies well does not fight. He who fights well will not die."


One should use a sharp sword, and should never wear one that is the least bit blunt. It is said that, "A blunt sword will not cut through bones."


One should talk of neither foodstuffs nor trade in front of others. There is an old saying that goes, "Metal is tested by fire; man is tested by what he says."


Even if one should be very intimate with another, he should think carefully before making a request of him. There is a saying of the ancients that goes, "Greedy for one more cup of wine, he loses a whole boatload of fish."


One should not criticize people unnecessarily in the presence of others. In the Chan Kuo Ts'e it says, "One should praise another's good points, but not talk about his bad ones."


Even if the enemy's forces are vast, one should attack if their defenses have been neglected. Moreover, one should think care-fully before attacking a well-defended enemy, even though his force may be small. In the Sun Tzu it says, "One should not attack an imposingly defended camp, nor should he try to obstruct the flag of a well-arranged attack. To strike at such a force, one should keep in mind the suddenness of the snake of Mt. Ch'ang. When its head is struck, the tail comes forth; when the tail is struck, the head comes forth; when its middle is struck, both head and tail are at its attacker. There is a method of attacking such an enemy."


One should not act with a sense of ennui in any matter whatso*ever. Mencius said, "If one will earnestly persevere, he will be a follower of Shun. "5

The above articles are not to be carelessly or repeatedly brought to the ears of others. Rather, this should be thought of as my last testimony for you. Five and two multiplied are ten, but added are only seven. This is a secret oral tradition from the House of Shingen.


Eiroku Gannen (1558)
A good day in April
To the House Elders
Takeda Samasuke Nobushige



Notes



1 The book was originally written by Kosaka Masanobu (1527-1578), the son of a farmer who rose to be one of Takeda Shingen's most trusted generals.

2In the original text there is a play on words here with "truth" and "strength," and with "lie" and "weakness."

3The Confucian Gentleman who daily endeavors to study the Way.

4 The tutor of King Wen of the Chou Dynasty

5 One of the three sage kings of ancient China

[Turtules]

Excellent I hope that answers the Op questions and plus rep.

[shootingbates]

Serious Rep for Shogun 144

Thanks man