Seikenroku: A Record of Recalling the Mistress

Reflections of a Confucian Scholar in Turmoil — by Sakuma Shōzan

🔹 About the Book

Seikenroku is a remarkable collection of personal writings, composed by Sakuma Shōzan, a leading samurai intellectual of late Edo-period Japan. Written after the imprisonment of his student Yoshida Shōin, these texts capture Sakuma’s reflections on loyalty, philosophy, politics, and the future of Japan.

This Kindle edition presents a faithful AI-assisted translation, offering a trilingual layout of:

The original classical Japanese text
A modern Japanese interpretation
A clear and thoughtful English translation

✍️ What Makes This Book Special?

Written in confinement and originally never intended for publication, this work reveals:

Sakuma’s moral convictions during political persecution
His pioneering views on Western technology and Eastern ethics
Sharp critiques of the Tokugawa government’s coastal defense policies
A deep sense of duty to serve the nation over personal ambition

These writings have surprising parallels with the uncertainties of today’s global order.

💡 Key Themes

“If one feels shame at being reproached for loyalty and righteousness, can it truly be honorable to gain status through injustice?”

“The pursuit of natural law is easier than understanding human emotion.”

“Even in prison, the heart remains free.”

Seikenroku invites us to reflect on leadership, responsibility, resilience, and the proper role of knowledge in society.

📚 Contents at a Glance

Over 50 essays and poetic reflections
Topics include:
- Self-cultivation and moral integrity
- Coastal defense and national strategy
- Western learning and Confucian ethics
- The responsibilities of public intellectuals
Bonus: Historical appendix and modern commentary

👤 About the Author

Sakuma Shōzan (1811–1864) was a visionary thinker and political reformer. Famous for the phrase “Eastern ethics, Western science”, he laid the groundwork for the Meiji Restoration. His student, Yoshida Shōin, became a martyr of modern Japan. Shōzan’s life ended in assassination, but his ideas live on.

📖 Ideal For:

Students of Japanese history and political thought
Readers interested in Confucianism, ethics, and self-discipline
Thinkers reflecting on modern leadership and legacy
Historians, philosophers, and global readers seeking timeless insight

🛒 Get Your Copy

👉 Kindle Edition Now Available
[https://amzn.to/3FXhmvr]

Seikenroku: A Record of Recalling the Mistress