一番槍 — The Courage to Go First
2026-10-13
During Japan’s Sengoku period, 一番槍 (ichiban-yari) was the honor given to a warrior who was the first to engage the enemy with a spear.
一番槍 — The Courage to Go First
During Japan’s Sengoku period, 一番槍 (ichiban-yari) was the honor given to a warrior who was the first to engage the enemy with a spear.
Why was being first considered such an honor?
Because the first warrior faced the greatest uncertainty.
There was nobody ahead of him. Nobody had tested the enemy’s strength. Nobody could tell him what was waiting on the other side.
He might gain glory.
He might also be the first to fall.
That is the real meaning I see in ichiban-yari.
Today, we often talk about the “first-mover advantage” in business. But ichiban-yari teaches something different.
Being first is not valuable because it gives you an advantage. Being first is respected because you are willing to accept the risk before asking others to follow.
That is leadership.
Starting a company, introducing a new product, entering an unknown market, or proposing an idea nobody believes in can sometimes feel like ichiban-yari.
There is no guarantee that you will succeed.
But someone must go first.
一番槍 — Leadership begins with the courage to step forward.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..