“As things stand now the feudal lords are content to look on while the shogunate carries on in a highhanded manner. Neither the lords nor the shogun can be depended upon, and so our only hope lies in grass-roots heroes.” LooksLyingLordHeroRootsGrassCarrieShoguns Author:Yoshida Shoin
“It seems hopeless, hopeless. Those who eat meat [at public expense] are a mean, selfish lot, and so the country is doomed. Our only hope lies in the grass-roots folk who eat our traditional food.” MeanCountrySeemsLyingRootsFolksSelfishTraditionalGrassMeatHopelessExpensesDoomed Author:Yoshida Shoin
“When I consider the state of things in our fief, I find that those who hold positions and receive official stipends are incapable of the utmost in loyalty and patriotic service. Loyalty of the usual sort-perhaps, but if it is true loyalty and service you seek, then you must abandon this fief and plan a grass-roots uprising.” IfsStatesPlansPositionRootsLoyaltyGrassOfficialsAbandonPatrioticUsualIncapableUprising Author:Yoshida Shoin
