What is "Jōzen Mizu no Gotoshi"? A Thorough Explanation from Meaning and Origin to Applying It to a Modern Lifestyle

What is "Jōzen Mizu no Gotoshi"? |
How to Read and Its Origin

"Jōzen Mizu no Gotoshi" (The highest good is like water) is a phrase that
appears in Chapter 8 of the "Tao Te Ching," a book by the ancient Chinese philosopher Laozi.

Literally translated, it means "The highest good (an ideal way of living) is like water."

In this chapter, Laozi
depicted water as a model for the way humans should strive to live.

The original text continues,
"Water benefits all things and does not contend, and it dwells in places that the masses despise.
Therefore, it is close to the Tao (the Way)."
In other words, water bestows blessings upon all things, yet

without competing with others,
it naturally settles in the low places that everyone dislikes.
This is the teaching that, precisely because of this, it is the existence closest to the "Tao (the ideal way of living)."

In Japan, it is a phrase frequently cited in business books, self-help books, and as a personal motto for business leaders; it is read not merely as knowledge of the classics, but as a guiding principle for us living in the modern age.

Why was "water" chosen as the metaphor?

The reason Laozi intentionally chose "water" to speak about the ideal way of living
is related to the unique properties that water possesses.

Here, let's look at four representative characteristics.

1. It benefits all things and does not contend
Water nourishes plants, supports the lives of living creatures, and provides benefits in every place.

Yet, it never claims credit for itself, nor does it compete with anything else for superiority.
The act of giving is its purpose, and this attitude of not seeking a reward is expressed here.

2. It flows naturally to low places
People tend to seek high status or positions where they are praised, but water, conversely, flows naturally to low places that no one likes.

This is a symbol of humility and is considered a metaphor for an attitude of "not being afraid to remain low."

3. It is not bound by form and responds flexibly
Water changes its shape freely according to the shape of its container. If it enters a round container, it becomes round; if it enters a square container, it becomes square.

This flexibility represents a supple strength that allows one to change their way of being according to the situation and the other party.

4. It looks weak, but is actually the strongest
A single drop of water looks weak, but over many years, it carves through rock, creates rivers, and even changes the shape of the earth.
The paradox here is that softness does not necessarily mean weakness.

Why did the Sengoku warlord Kuroda Kanbei
call himself "Josui"?

An essential part of discussing "Jōzen Mizu no Gotoshi" is the episode of the Sengoku period strategist Kuroda Kanbei (Kuroda Yoshitaka).

Kanbei, who served Toyotomi Hideyoshi and was known as a genius of castle construction and strategy, retired in his later years after handing over the family headship to his eldest son, Nagamasa, and took the Buddhist name "Josui-ken Ensei."

This name "Josui" is said to be taken from Chapter 8 of the Tao Te Ching. It is believed that Kanbei named himself Josui after this phrase, which uses the properties of water as a model for life, though there are various theories about this.

It is highly suggestive that the state of mind reached at the end by a rare strategist who survived the Warring States period was the philosophy of
living like water.
Despite possessing the strategic genius to sway the fate of the nation, Kanbei's way of life—quietly stepping back without daring to come to the forefront to compete for power—
overlaps with Laozi's teaching that

the highest good is like water, which benefits all things without contention.

The fact that a person who survived an era swirling with intrigue and schemes ultimately chose a
way of life that does not contend
is an episode that gives even more persuasive power to the phrase 'Jozen-no-mizu'.

Practicing 'Jozen-no-mizu' in
Business and Work

This teaching of Laozi provides many insights
even in the modern business scene.

Focus on providing value, not competition
If you focus too much on internal performance reviews or comparing yourself to rivals, the perspective of
'what value can I deliver to customers and colleagues'—which you should be focusing on—
fades away.

The attitude of focusing on giving first, like water, will eventually build up trust from those around you.

Choose the place where you are needed rather than a prominent position
Rather than chasing after star departments or high-profile positions,
those who take on 'tasks that no one else wants to touch'
will become indispensable to the organization in the long run.

The attitude of water, which flows to low places, functions as a career strategy as well.

Flexibly change your shape according to the environment and the other party
The optimal solution for leadership styles, communication methods, and work approaches changes depending on the situation of the other party or the team.
People who can adapt like water, changing their shape to fit the vessel without clinging to one way of doing things,
demonstrate strength even in rapidly changing work environments.

Application to Human Relationships and Communication
and Implications for Modern People

'Jozen-no-mizu' also provides an important perspective
in interpersonal relationships.

Not contending does not mean losing
When arguments or conflicts of opinion arise,
we tend to view them in terms of 'winning or losing'.

However, the attitude of 'not contending' like water does not aim to defeat the other party,
but rather points to a more mature way of communicating that seeks a good landing point for both sides.

The more you can adapt to others, the more you will be trusted
Instead of unilaterally imposing your own style,
those who can change their approach according to the other person's situation and emotions
become people who are trusted and relied upon by those around them.

This is not about losing yourself, but about the flexibility to respect the other person.

In modern society, where information is overflowing and it is easy to be constantly compared to others, the teaching of 'Jozen-no-mizu'
is actually increasing in importance more than ever before.

Not competing, placing yourself in a low position,
and having a certain influence while flexibly changing your shape

That is by no means a passive way of life, but rather the most sustainable and strong way of being in the long term.

Summary

'Jozen-no-mizu' is a teaching that Laozi preached in the 'Tao Te Ching'
that 'the ideal way of life is like water'.

Water bestows blessings upon all things without contention,
it flows of its own accord to the low places that everyone avoids,
it changes its shape according to the vessel,
and it possesses a supple strength
that can erode even rock over long periods of time.

The Sengoku period strategist Kuroda Kanbei
is also said to have chosen the name 'Josui' (Like Water)
from this phrase upon his retirement,
and as the final state of mind reached by a man who survived an era of intrigue,
it gives this teaching even greater weight.

In the business world, this teaching serves as a concrete guide,
such as an 'attitude that prioritizes providing value over competition'
or a 'career perspective that chooses to be where one is needed rather than where one stands out,'
and in human relationships, it serves as a guide for 'communication that builds trust without conflict.'

Precisely because we live in a modern age where it is easy to become exhausted by comparisons and evaluations with others,
a way of life that is soft like water, humble,
and consistently continues to have a positive influence on those around us
should serve as a great hint for us.

Why not try incorporating the way of water—
'not contending' and 'not fearing to be in a low place'—
into your daily choices,
little by little, starting today?

Personal thoughts

Thank you
for reading until the end.

Speaking of 'The highest good is like water',
it is a sake brand, but

I have heard that Shirataki Sake Brewery,
which produces this sake,
also uses 'The highest good is like water'
as their company philosophy.

It is a sake I used to drink often.

Bonus: I have written a book
for those who read my note.

Please take a look if you like.
👇

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