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Rongo and Soroban Now!
Centuries before the calculator, before the PC spreadsheet, there was the “Abacus.” It is a calculating tool that is constructed as a wooden frame with counting beads that slide on a series of thin rods. In Japan, it is known as “Soroban,” and said to be imported from China around 1600, during the early Edo Period.
The Edo Period, also known as the Tokugawa Period (1603 to 1868) was 270 years of political stability, basically untouched by forces from the outside world, and thus an era of cultural, social and economical self-development for Japan. The teachings of Confucius -- that social order is attained through virtue and benevolent humanity -- flourished among the ruling warrior class during this period and became the intellectual foundation in Japan.
Confucius was an ancient Chinese philosopher, whose teachings are said to have reached Japan via Korea around year 300 AD. The “Analects” of his teachings, known as “Rongo” in Japan, were written by his disciples, and passed down through the centuries for about 2500 years as universal wisdom of humankind.
The end of the Edo period in 1868 to the early 20th century marked an era of extraordinary growth marked by emergence of feudal Japan as a world class economic power. With the victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), Japan also emerged as a military power, which had been dominated exclusively by the West. The period known as Meiji Restoration was full of vibrant innovators that marked this era with incredible achievements, and was a major turning point in Japanese history.
One such innovator was Eiichi Shibusawa. Born in 1840 into a well-to-do agricultural merchant household in what is now Saitama Prefecture just north of Tokyo. He is often referred to as the leading industrialist during the Meiji Restoration, and most well known as the man who established the first bank in Japan.
Some also call him the “father of Japanese capitalism,” as he was also one of the first in the country to recognize the merits of the shareholder system. He was also rightfully the first and most prolific venture capitalist in Japan, as historical researchers estimate that he was involved in the establishment of about 500 business enterprises. He was also a committed philanthropist, involved in the management and financial support of some 600 social enterprises. He also lived till a ripe age of 91 years old.
How was Eiichi Shibusawa able to maintain such breath and depth in his activities? He was a firm believer that “Rongo,” representing ethical humanism, and “Soroban,” representing economical activities, seemingly at opposite ends of the spectrum, were actually in accord.
It was not just about doing good. Nor was it just about making money. Both “Rongo” and “Soroban” were equally necessary. Necessary for sustainability of well-being.
Being deft on the “Soroban” may fatten one’s wallet. But if that individual is short on virtue, then that wealth he earned may not be sustainable. Equally, just reading “Rongo” may heighten your self-being, but if that individual is short on the economics, then there is nothing there for him to sustain.
Therefore, Eiichi Shibusawa strongly believed that both “Rongo and Soroban need to be in accord” for that individual and society to flourish and be sustainable.
This new column hopes to bring light the “analects” of Eiichi Shibusawa to the modern age, not to dwell on past glories, but rather to explore whether his thinking can be applied to this present age, so that our future generations can flourish.
Confucius says, “On-Ko-Chi-Shin.” Look to the past, for new innovations today.
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とても自身和訳可能だなんて思っていないものの....。
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