The above picture is a statue commemorating a scene from the 4th Battle of Kawanakajima. The battles were a series that occurred in feudal Japan between the armies of two warlords, Takeda Shingen, known as the Tiger of Kai, and Uesugi Kenshin, known as the Dragon of Echigo. They fought five times between 1553 and 1564, with the most famous battle being the 4th in 1561.

This was a period of complete chaos in Japan. The central government had lost control and regional warlords had seized power. Imagine if every state in America suddenly found itself in a struggle against one another, each with the goal to re-unite the country under their rule. Despite being regional rivals and opponents in their quest to unite Japan under a single banner, these two men had a profound respect for the honor and ability of their adversary. Kenshin even went so far as to aide Shingen with supplies when Shingen was cut off by his allies. Kenshin is quoted as saying that “Wars are to be won with swords and spears, not with rice and salt.”.

Despite their respect, these two men would inevitably come to blows as their power grew. They fought a number of battles that stories and movies are still being created about today. According to legend, during the 4th Battle of Kawanakajima, Kenshin was leading a cavalry charge that ended up taking him straight into the battle camp of Shingen. Kenshin had ridden ahead and became separated from his main host. He recognized the banners of Shingen’s camp up ahead and rode in and caught Shingen unaware. Kenshin seized the opportunity and struck out at Shingen, hoping to end their rivalry once and for all. Shingen didn’t have time to draw his sword to properly defend himself and used the only thing he had available to him, his war fan. The war fan was typically used to issue commands to troops and was hardly suited for combat. Shingen desperately parried Kenshin’s blows, losing the fan and taking an injury to the shoulder in the process. He bought himself enough time for his bodyguards to pull themselves together and come to his aid. They drove Kenshin off and Shingen lived on.

I love this story. To me, it teaches us to be daring and take chances like Kenshin. You never know what opportunities you will be presented with in life if you take a risk and go for things. Fortune favors the bold and if any of those sword blows had struck true, it could have completely altered the fate of Japan. On the other side, it also teaches us to never give up, like Shingen. No matter how desperate the odds are stacked against us, we should fight on. You never know what will happen if you try. Shingen could have given up and accepted death, but he fought on and lived another day.

Life laughs in the face of our more carefully laid plans. Take some chances and never give up. You never know what could come of it.