Character evaluation of Masashige Kusunoki

Since ancient times, Kusunoki Masashige's deeds of loyalty and diligence have been praised and praised by the Japanese, and his death has been worshiped by future generations. This is of course inseparable from his character. During his tenure as the guardian of the three kingdoms of Settsu, Kawachi, and Izumi, Kusunoki Masashige implemented policies such as reducing taxes, reclaiming wasteland, building water conservancy projects, and encouraging mulberry farming, which brought some benefits to the people.

Although Masashige still believed in old Buddhism like the people of the Heian period, it cannot be said that he was not influenced by Zen. At that time, Zhu Xi's studies had been spread to Japan, and Emperor Go-Daigo's studies were Song studies (Zhu studies). Duqingxuan Xuanhui's seal presented Cheng Zhu's new annotated book to the emperor, his wife, and Shunki. Therefore, the orthodox thoughts of Emperor Go-Daigo, his brother-in-law, and Shunki were the products of Song Dynasty studies. The idea of ??loyalty and filial piety that was prevalent in the Southern Song Dynasty at that time was undoubtedly spread to Japan through Zhu Xue. Masashige Kusunoki's thoughts on raising troops to serve the king and his so-called "seven lives to serve the country" (serving the country from generation to generation) before his death came completely from the orthodox thoughts and loyalty thoughts of Song Dynasty. According to research, Zhengcheng's calligraphy style also has a "Song style", which is completely different from the "Qinglianyuan School" of Chimingyuan. His Song studies were learned from Tiantai monk Xuanhui Fayin.