Letter to Shimoyama（3rd of 11th paragraph）
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In the second month of the eleventh year of Bun’ei [1274] I was recalled from exile in the province of Sado. On the eighth day of the fourth month in the same year, I had an interview with Hei no Saemon. At that time I described to him in detail the utter unreasonableness of the actions that had been taken against me. I also told him that, to my great regret, this country of ours was by now fated to be destroyed by forces from another country, and that the situation was extremely grave.
Hei no Saemon asked when the armies of the great Mongol nation would launch their attack. I replied that the sutra passages did not indicate any specific year or month, but that, judging from the aspect that Heaven displayed, it appeared to be exceedingly angry with our country, and that I was convinced the attack would surely come within this year. And if it did, I said that no one would be capable of withstanding it. I added that this was a punishment from Heaven, and since he and the other officers had refused to heed my advice, there was nothing I could do about it. I cautioned that under no circumstances should the True Word priests be permitted to try to overcome the Mongols with their prayers, for if they did so, they would only make the situation worse than it was.
Having delivered this advice, I returned to my lodging. But, just as in the past, those in both the upper and lower levels of the government refused to heed my words. My intention all along had been to attempt to repay the debt of gratitude I owe my country by offering such advice. If after delivering three such admonitions my words were still ignored, I had determined to withdraw to retirement in the mountain forests. Indeed, it is stated in one of the ancient texts that if after three attempts to warn the rulers one’s advice is still unheeded, one should withdraw from the scene.69 In compliance with that text, I have retired to the mountains.
In addition, because the rulers of the nation refuse to heed my advice, it has seemed to me hopeless to try to expound my Buddhist doctrines to the men who serve under them. Though I should attempt to preach to them, I doubt that I could aid the nation by doing so or insure that they attain Buddhahood.
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Notes
69. This statement is found in the Book of Rites, one of the Confucian canon.