Gate 06 of 10
Makoto 誠
Honesty
Carry yours as a reminder that your word is worth more than any sword.
Inspired by
Hijikata Toshizō · 1835–1869
Vice-commander of the Shinsengumi, the sword corps that guarded Kyoto in the last years of the samurai. Their banner carried a single character: 誠, makoto, meaning sincerity, a word kept and a duty done. When their cause was lost and others gave up, Hijikata kept his word and fought on to the very end, falling at Hakodate in 1869.
Next on the path
Gate 07 · Meiyo 名誉 · Honour