Speaking of Mori Motonari [ Three Arrows ] Is famous, but this anecdote was not a historical fact but a story made in posterity. Even though it is a creation, I think that the fact that such a legend is created is proof of how big the existence of Mori Motonari at that time was.
However, this anecdote was not a complete myth, and the book on which it was based remained in modern times.
[Mitsuko lesson] left by Mori Motonari
Mori, who was the lord of Aki during the Warring States period, became a lord who ruled more than 1.7 million stones in the Chugoku region and parts of Kyushu. It is natural for Motonari, who has spent 50 years of his life to make full use of battles and tactics, to be worried about the future of the Mori clan after his death.
So, in 1557, he had three sons, Mori Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage . In addition, [Mitsuko lesson] I left it. This book is Mori Motonari's autograph It has been designated as an important cultural property and remains in the Mouri Museum in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The contents are written over Article 14, Mori / Yoshikawa / Kobayakawa . [ Mouri Ryokawa system ] I teach you to build and maintain a novel system that should be called. Based on the content of this Mitsuko lesson, [ Mori Motonari's three arrows teaching ] We were taught at school.
When I read the lessons of Mitsuko, Motonari told me that there is no story about arrows, but [ Mitsuya's teachings ] It is close to the content.
I will write a part of it in a modern translation.
Article 3
Needless to say, the relationship between the three people should not be even a little different. If that happens, think that all three will be destroyed. The descendants of Mouri who defeated them are especially hated by strangers. Even if I manage to survive, even if I lose my family name and one or two people survive, I don't think it will be of any use. When that happens, sorrow is beyond words.
Article 4
Takamoto, with the help of Motoharu and Takakage, give instructions on everything. In addition, Motoharu and Takakage can control their homes as long as Mohri is strong. Now, Motoharu and Takakage may think that they can control their homes, but if Mohri weakens, the hearts of the people in the house will change, so be aware of this. Must be.
Article 6
I want this teaching to be kept in mind even for my grandchildren. Then, I think the Mori, Yoshikawa, and Kobayakawa families will continue for generations. However, although I wish so, I can't say anything until the end of life. At least the three generations would certainly lose both their family name and profits without this mindset.
In historical fact, the second son, Takakage Kobayakawa, had no children, and Hideyoshi's nephew took over the house as Hideaki Kobayakawa, but there was no trace and the house was cut off after Hideaki died. However, Mr. Mouri and Mr. Yoshikawa continued from the Warring States period through the Edo period to the Meiji period, and are still continuing.
Episode of Three Arrows
Now, for confirmation, [ three arrows ] Let's see the episode.
On the floor of Motonari's death, he summoned three sons, Takamoto, Motoharu, and Takakage, gave them one arrow at a time and ordered them to fold them, and the sons folded them without difficulty.
This time he bundled three arrows and ordered him to fold them again, but none of his sons could fold them. Motonari showed that a single fragile arrow would be sturdy if it was bundled, and it is an anecdote that the Mori family learned that if the three brothers were united, they would not be attacked by other countries.
Grounds for saying that the three arrows are a myth
As I wrote at the beginning, the reason why this story is a myth is that Mori Motonari died in 1571 . And he was 75 years old. However, his eldest son, Takamoto, was 1563 eight years earlier. Since he died suddenly at the age of 41 while participating in the attack on Amako, he cannot be on the floor of his former death.
Also, at the time of the death of Motonari, Motoharu is 41 years old and Takakage is 38 years old, which means that he is a good adult. If you are a boy, you can understand that the three arrows cannot be broken, but if you are an adult man, it is no wonder that you can break them as long as you bundle the three arrows.
Also, at the time of Motonari's death, he called in three sons, but in reality, there were 12 children, 10 men and 2 women. If you look into it, there are many things to dig into, but from the above, it can be considered that the scene setting on the floor of Mori Motonari's death is clearly a myth.
The Mouri Ryokawa family after that
In the Battle of Sekigahara after the death of Mori Motonari, the Motonari, Yoshikawa, and Kobayakawa families were unable to cooperate with each other, so Mori Terumoto was the general general of the Western Army . Participated as Kikkawa Hiroie does not participate and is neutral In addition, Kobayakawa Hideaki turned over to the East Army , Will give a chance to defeat the Western Army.
As a result, due to the defeat of the Western Army, the Mouri head family was reduced from 1.2 million stones to 360,000 stones.
The descendants who could not keep the original teachings ended up in danger of the Mori family's survival. Although it was in danger of survival, as you all know, the Mori clan became a daimyo family who continued until the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, and ironically, it was the clan men of the Satcho Alliance, Mori and Shimazu, who handed over the guidance to the Tokugawa shogunate. did.
Currently, the descendants of Mori Motonari are the 21st generation of Mr. Motonari, who lives in Hofu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Since he had many children, his descendants are both male and female, and it is said that there are now more than hundreds of them.