We are the same, you and I. Whether samurai or night-hawk, the Suruga Dainagon or member of the Toudouza, it makes no difference. My sword is the proof...." These words, wrung from the very depths of his soul, surprised even Seigen himself. He had not risen in the world merely in order to satisfy his ambition, but in order to repudiate hierarchical society and the fixed class system. Takayuki Yamaguchi
About This Quote

The words of the swordsman Seigen in the novel "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", as quoted by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, represent the true nature of Zen. Seigen is a samurai who has just risen to prominence as a ronin, and is still despised by members of his former class. When he visits Seigen's master, Shigure, he sees that his master is no different than him and is able to communicate with through their shared experience as sword masters: "Whether samurai or night-hawk, the Suruga Dainagon or member of the Toudouza, it makes no difference." The idea that there are no differences between people makes them all equal. This is how people are able to make peace with each other because they know they are all on an equal playing field.

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More Quotes By Takayuki Yamaguchi
  1. We are the same, you and I. Whether samurai or night-hawk, the Suruga Dainagon or member of the Toudouza, it makes no difference. My sword is the proof...." These words, wrung from the very depths of his soul, surprised even Seigen himself. He had not...
  2. No matter how pathetic or pitiful, every human is fated to have one moment in their lives in which they can change their own destiny.
  3. Takamasa Saegusa: 'Seigen, a mere member of the Toudouza, had the effrontery to sully the sacred dueling ground. For that reason, our lord had already decided to subject him to tu-uchi before long. Cut off his head immediately, and stick it on a pike! '...
  4. We are the same, you and I. Whether samurai or night-hawk, the Suruga Dainagon or member of the Toudouza, it makes no difference. My sword is the proof....
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