Never strike in anger – The debt that saved a life“

Long ago, during the Tokugawa Shogunate, a samurai lent 10 koku to a poor fisherman. Exactly a year later, he returned to collect the debt. The fisherman bowed deeply and said, “I haven’t forgotten, but it’s been a hard year. I don’t have the money.” Furious, the samurai drew his sword.

But the fisherman bravely said: “My martial arts teacher always taught me: don’t act when you’re angry you might regret it later. Please, give me one more year.” The words struck the samurai. He recalled the same teaching: never act in anger. He sheathed his blade and granted the man another year. That night, he returned home late. In the darkness, he saw two figures lying on his futon his wife, and someone dressed like a samurai wearing one of his menpō masks. 

His rage surged again, and he almost attacked. But then, the fisherman’s words echoed in his mind. He paused, made a noise, and his wife lit a candle. The other figure turned out to be his mother, dressed in his armor to scare off potential intruders in his absence. The samurai realized how close he had come to tragedy all because of unchecked anger. A year later, the fisherman paid back the debt, with interest. “Keep your money,” said the samurai. “Your debt was paid long ago.”

Food for thought

"Never act in anger. When anger takes control, judgment disappears.
In a moment of rage, we may say or do things we cannot undo and the consequences can be permanent, or tragic. Anger narrows the mind, blurs intention, and fuels action without wisdom.
Before you speak, decide, or act in anger stop.
Take a breath. Step back. Let your emotions settle. Only in calm can we see clearly. Only with patience can we act with honor. What feels urgent in anger often reveals itself to be unworthy of action once peace returns."

Who is Onko Chisin?

"Onko Chisin" is a Japanese proverb meaning "Study the old to understand the new." In this story, Onko Chisin is both the name of a legendary martial artist and a symbol of the idea that ancient wisdom is essential for navigating the present and future.