Talent wins battles, persistence wins wars
Today in Japanese history, the joint forces of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga defeated Takeda Katsuyori in the Battle of Nagashino when Takeda’s army was laying siege to Yoshida Castle in 1575. This battle is thought to have ushered in the modern era of Japanese combat which would rely more heavily upon firearms. The battle and the victory are a study in military tactics and strategies. Ieyasu was known for being a great military tactician, Nobunaga was an innovative general and Takeda was a known for his cavalry prowess. Each one in their own right was considered talented and could have won the battle on their own. However, their talent was no match for the persistence of a lowly ashigaru (足軽) or “infantryman” named Torii Suneemon. Yoshida Castle had been under siege by Takeda’s formidable cavalry and 15,000 men for over a week and it was starting to waiver. Suneemon volunteered to escape the castle and run 35 kilometers (21.7 miles) to Okazaki and deliver a letter to Ieyasu asking for reinforcements. Ieyasu agreed and Suneemon traveled back to the castle. On his way back he was captured, tied to a cross and tortured. Takeda told Suneemon to say that Ieyasu wasn’t coming and to advise them to surrender. When the cross was raised Suneemon shouted, “Men of Nagashino Castle, don’t give up! Ieyasu’s men are on the way! Hold on a little longer!” Before he could say more, he was stabbed with a spear and killed. Suneemon’s brave persistence led him volunteer, swim the castle’s moat, traverse Takeda’s garrison, then run 35 kilometers to get help and then turn around and ride, walk, or run another 35 kilometers only to be strung up on a cross and tortured. At that point most of us would have given up, but Suneemon clearly is someone who had a persistent type of character even until the end. Posthumously, he was promoted to the rank of full hereditary samurai that gave his family a 25 times raise in pay and his family went on to serve the Okudaira clan for almost 300 more years. Ieyasu and Nobunaga may have won the battle with their talents, but Suneemon won the war with his persistence.
Today’s goal: Whatever it is that you are trying to accomplish, be persistent