Yamamoto Tsunetomo
Born in 1659
Philosophy
Yamamoto Tsunetomo was a samurai who served the Saga Domain under Lord Nabeshima Mitsushige for 30 years.
After his lord's death in 1700, Yamamoto retired to a hermitage.
Between 1709 and 1716, he narrated his thoughts to Tashiro Tsuramoto, which were compiled into the book Hagakure.
Tsunetomo believed in embracing death to achieve a higher state of life and criticized the delayed response of the Forty-seven rōnin.
Initially obscure, Hagakure gained popularity in the 1930s as a representation of bushido.
Tsunetomo is also known by his monastic name, Yamamoto Jōchō.
In 2011, a manga adaptation of Hagakure was published.
