Isshokenmei
The term Isshokenmei ( Jap. 一所懸命 ; something with his life defending) is related to the Samurai - Ethos ( Bushidō ) together and is sure to defend something with their lives. In the samurai days this may have been meant literally, the inflationary use of the term has flattened it a bit and is now more of a dramatic exaggeration than anything else. However, one very often hears from the Japanese that they are isshokenmei for something.
The term also stands for a piece of land or soil that is defended with life ( 一 所 懸 命 の 土地 , Isshokenmei no tochi ). In the Japanese Middle Ages, the land-owning feudal class in particular sought to pass on reclaimed land to their descendants. Samurai in particular, who initially did not have a permanent residence, were a threat to such reclaimed land. For this reason, land often had to be defended at risk to one's own life. Land defended in this way could be recorded and secured in a register ( 本 貫 , Bongan ) based on the Korean model and according to the Ritsuryō system .
Individual evidence
- ↑ 一 所 懸 命 . In: 朝日 日本 歴 史 人物 事 典 at kotobank.jp. Asahi Shimbun Shuppan, accessed April 26, 2012 (Japanese).
- ↑ 本 貫 . In: 朝日 日本 歴 史 人物 事 典 at kotobank.jp. Asahi Shimbun Shuppan, accessed April 26, 2012 (Japanese).
Web links
- Dictionary entry (English-Japanese)