Nine Thoughts to One Word Chapter2
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When I hear such reports, I cannot help feeling greatly concerned. Confucius thought nine times before saying one word. Tan, the Duke of Chou, would bind up his hair three times in the course of washing it and spit out his food three times in the course of a meal [in order not to keep callers waiting].5 These were worthy men of ancient times, a model for the people of today. Therefore you should in future be even more careful of your conduct.
When night comes, whatever the circumstances, you should never venture out alone. Even if summoned by your lord, you should first send an aide to your lord’s residence to make certain that it is in fact your lord who has sent the summons. Then fasten your breast-plate, don a headband, and provide yourself with men to attend you front and back and to your left and right, and only then venture forth. When you reach the residence of someone who lives near your lord and is friendly toward you, or the room assigned to you in your lord’s mansion, you should remove your armor there before presenting yourself to your lord.
When you come back to your own home, before you enter, send someone in ahead of you to inspect the doorways, the area under any bridges, the area behind the stables, the upper apartments, and any other dark places before you venture in yourself.
If a fire should break out, whether in your own house or the house of someone else, do not rush to the site of the fire in hopes of putting it out and saving objects of value. And of course you should not dash out of the building where you will be exposed.
When you return with your lord from some outing, you should dismount when you arrive at the gate of the lord’s residence, report on your mission to the officer in charge there, and then hurry back to your own house. Even though your lord may urge you, if it is nighttime, you should not enter his residence and remain there with him for any length of time. And when you return to your own home, be even more careful than usual, because your enemies will invariably try to use your return as an opportunity to attack you. Also, if others should invite you to drink with them, be suspicious, reply in a vague manner, or on occasion simply decline the invitation outright.
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Background
This letter was written on the twenty-fifth day of the first month in 1278. Shijō Kingo, because of his faith in Nichiren Daishonin’s teaching, had long suffered the disfavor of his lord, Ema. In this letter the Daishonin congratulates Kingo on the trust Ema has newly placed in him, and on what appears to be a positive turn of events. Citing a report from a priest who has observed Kingo taking a prominent position in his lord’s entourage, the Daishonin nevertheless expresses concern. In the previous year, some of Kingo’s colleagues had made false accusations against Kingo to Ema. Kingo’s coming into Ema’s favor again would surely arouse their jealousy, making them capable of any kind of treachery. For this reason, the Daishonin points out that he must now be extremely careful, attentive, and considerate, citing the example of Confucius thinking nine times before speaking a word, among others. The following year, 1279, an attempt on Kingo’s life was in fact made, against which he was able to protect himself. The Daishonin also cautions Shijō Kingo to be warm and charitable in his dealings with the women in his household, and to be supportive and considerate of his younger brothers. Without trust and unity among family members, it would be difficult to protect against the plotting of enemies.
Notes
5. This anecdote is mentioned in Records of the Historian. Tan, the Duke of Chou, was a younger brother of Emperor Wu of the Chou dynasty. He implemented a number of reforms and established a foundation for the dynasty. He was so eager to find able persons and anxious not to overlook anyone that he would receive visitors even while washing his hair or during the course of a meal. The Daishonin cites this example to explain the importance of being considerate, cautious, and prudent. See also Glossary under Duke of Chou.