Hideki Kuriyama’s "My Awakening": The Preciousness of Meeting People and Sharing the Same Environment

Since becoming the manager of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in November 2011, I began reading extensively about leadership and organizational theory in business books. My personal credo is to "act as soon as inspiration strikes." Whenever time allowed, I would venture out to seek opportunities for learning and gaining insights. Fully aware of my own shortcomings, I constantly motivated myself with the thought, "I need to keep learning."

Reflecting on that time, I recall a memorable encounter with the legendary racehorse Deep Impact, who sadly passed away in 2019. Starting in 2016, I visited him every year at Shadai Stallion Station in Yufutsu District, Hokkaido. Deep Impact, a horse who captivated countless fans with his seven G1 victories, seemed like the perfect teacher to learn about how to "win." Of course, I couldn’t speak to him, but just being near him brought me a sense of happiness.

Hearing from those who worked with him that he was "earnest and classy" and that "he loved to run" made me realize something: Deep Impact’s passion and his genuine love for running was what led him to victory. It resonated deeply with me, much like my passion for baseball.

There were many lessons I learned from his calm presence. Looking back, I’m truly glad I followed my instinct to see him. That decision brought me invaluable lessons and a sense of fulfillment.

I tend to act on my impulses rather quickly. However, meeting someone you wish to meet does not always come true. Sometimes, the opportunity slips away when you’re just waiting for the “right time.” That’s why I make it a habit to express my desire to meet someone to the people around me by saying, "Is there any way I can meet this person?"

Fortunately, my wish came true after the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).  I finally had the chance to meet Mr. Hiroyuki Itsuki, the author. Each one of his books is filled with a unique perspective on life, and they’re truly remarkable. I’ve read many of them, but I was especially drawn to Shinran.

In this book, Mr. Itsuki delves deeply into the teachings of Shinran Shonin, specifically the concept of Tariki Hongan (salvation through faith in others' power). This phrase is often misunderstood to mean "reliance upon others," but that interpretation is incorrect. In Buddhist terms, Tariki refers to "the power of Amida Buddha," and Tariki Hongan means "being saved not by one’s own power but by the power of Amida Buddha."

Even though I intellectually understood this concept, I would often become overly passionate about baseball, urging my players to "push through with their own strength." That’s why I wanted to ask Mr. Itsuki what inspired him to depict the compassionate heart behind Tariki.

When I finally met him and asked, his explanation felt surprisingly simple and clear. I realized that what he conveyed through Shinran is: "Whether people strive or struggle, there’s no superiority or inferiority in that. Human life has inherent value simply in existence." Reflecting on this, I began to question if I had been too focused on demanding effort from my players, without fully grasping the essence of baseball and development.

Mr. Itsuki’s gentle gaze toward people reminded me of the profound value of meeting others. Sitting face-to-face with him rekindled my appreciation for the importance of human connection.

With the COVID-19 pandemic, online communication tools have become normalized, and our ways of connecting with others have diversified. Since the pandemic subsided, I’ve made a conscious effort to meet people in person whenever possible. However, if someone had suddenly asked, "Why bother meeting face-to-face?" I might have struggled to answer clearly.

Yet, Mr. Itsuki effortlessly taught me the value of meeting people in person. He said, "Online communication is important, but when you meet in person, you naturally come to understand the other person’s feelings and thoughts, even without speaking much. That’s just how humans are."

The simple act of being in the same place with another person—this, I realized, is incredibly significant. By sharing the same environment, a deep mutual understanding can form, often without the need for many words. This is what it means for hearts to connect. It made me think that meeting people is truly wonderful.

Of course, online tools are incredibly convenient and effective for staying connected when time is short or when people are far apart. But there’s still something irreplaceable about what you gain from meeting face-to-face. These encounters often lead to unexpected discoveries and deeper connections, and above all, I’m fortunate to have many people who continue to teach me valuable lessons.

For these reasons, I will continue to make every effort to meet those I wish to meet in person.

This text has been translated using an automatic translation tool.