People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moat; compassion is an ally, and revenge is an enemy
Look, I'm not asking for much. I just want to have a normal relationship. But he's just too strange for me to handle. It's beyond my understanding."
...Even though they're living together as lovers, they always talk as if they're going to break up. He says that the fact they're dating is a mistake by God, and that their relationship will end once God realizes the mistake and fixes it...
...He concludes that because he's so happy being with him now, he's probably used up all the luck of his lifetime, so it's not surprising if he dies at any moment. Moreover, he treats him like a work of art or a star in the night sky, without considering the feelings of him as a human being...
"Hey, Kiyoi, is that love talk still going on?"
"It's not love talk; I'm annoyed."
"No, no matter how you put it, it just sounds like a couple's love talk to me."
Takeda Shingen's Words and Legacy:
"People are the castle, people are the stone walls, people are the moat; compassion is an ally, and revenge is an enemy."
These are words attributed to Takeda Shingen.
From the phrase "people are the castle," it might seem that Shingen didn't build castles, but in fact, he did construct fortifications at borders and in areas of conquest to solidify his control.
Despite saying "people are the stone walls," stone walls have been confirmed at Shingen's Tsutsujigasaki residence. Even though he said "people are the moat," he used round moats called "maru-umadashi" and boomerang-shaped "crescent moats" to protect his fortifications.
Of course, the above phrase is a metaphor emphasizing the importance of human resources, and the part "compassion is an ally, revenge is an enemy" reflects Shingen's character.
Shingen also monitored his retainers through numerous spies. He was always cautious, even towards his allies. As the saying goes, "never let go of your sword, even when sleeping with your wife," Shingen didn't trust even his family.
There was a reason for this. Shingen ousted his own father, Nobutora, and took over at the young age of 21. Although later viewed as a young hero for overthrowing the tyrant Nobutora, the reality was different.
To unify the internally conflicted Kai province, a strong leader like Nobutora was needed. Nobutora set up and enforced a household tax to resolve financial difficulties in Kai. The retainers, unwilling to pay this tax, raised young Shingen and rebelled.
It was Shingen's experience at a young age that led him to believe that one could never be too cautious, even with retainers and family.
Shingen's legacy includes many anecdotes of him caring for his retainers, and in the present day, he is sometimes seen as a master of management. However, this reputation reflects his fear of his retainers and the caution he exercised.
The reality of Shingen's relationships with his retainers and family cannot be fully understood without examining his personal letters.
Shingen favored a beautiful young man named Kasuga Gensuke. In recent years, BL (Boys' Love) has become popular, with novels, anime, and movies contributing significantly to the economy. However, BL has long been a part of Japanese culture, even in the Sengoku period.
Shingen once wrote a letter to Kasuga Gensuke, explaining that he was suspected of having a relationship with a boy named Yasuke.
...I've tried to seduce Yasuke many times, but he always claimed he had a stomach ache and refused. This is the truth. I've never slept with Yasuke...
This letter, though not quite exonerating, offers a glimpse into the human side of Shingen.
Both in the past and present, building an organization involves many challenges. For Shingen, who was always cautious of his retainers, Kasuga Gensuke may have been a rare confidant.