Ninomiya Sontoku - The Role Model of Hard Work and Studiousness

The Status of Ninjiro Ninomiya (reading  Sony ebook) 
at Sony Store Ginza

I believe that some of you may use to see the status of a boy who reading a book while walking and carrying firewood on his back...yes, his name is "Ninomiya Sontoku"

Why I write this article about him? 

Of course, what I'm impressed him isn't about what he did or contributed for Japan's economy in term of agricultural & real estate transformation, but it's about his MINDSET about "Hard Work & Studiousness is the stepping stone for successful life"
Thus, I will explain why Ninomiya Sontoku is respected as the great teacher for Japanese students.

In Japan, it's more than 50% of total Japanese schools have the statues of Ninimoya in or in front of their schools, especially elementary schools. These statues are represented as the diligent boy who reading a book while carry firewood on his back. It is shown that he spend all his time for studying during every moment he could (of course, everyone do respect him about his diligent & never give up spirit).

Furthermore, this statue can motivate & teach me about life as a continuous learning process which we should seek & keep learning a new thing or new experience in every moment we can. Otherwise, if you believe that you're cool enough because you have MBA degree, that is a time for new generation guys will come to cross over you sooner or later.

Why I say like this, maybe someone may not exactly know what the meaning of LIFE is...Thus, below is one of good definition what a word "LIFE" stand for

"LIFE" is to... 
L - Learn 
I -  Introspect (consider & understand yourself inside)
F-  Fetch (Carry Out)
E-  Extricate (Free)

In my view point, the status of Ninomiya is the good inspiration which is shown about "learning with never give up spirit" which is a fundamental step for your successful life, I strongly believe.

PS. Even I used to graduated from MBA, but once I read a book of Sony Mini university course (the mind of the strategist), it seems I know nothing so far...

Thus, this story encourages me to keep learning as much as possible every moment I can do in order to pursuit another 3 words for Life which is I / F & E

OOTMAN WALKER
25 August 2012

Reference: http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~ta-ko/Ninomiya-Kinjiro.htm 

A statue of Ninomiya Kinjiro

A statue of Ninomiya Kinjiro (1787-1856) stands in Little Tokyo.
Kinjiro, also known as Sontoku, was an Edo era (1603-1867)
self-made agricultural leader who was often held up in Japan as a model of hard work and studiousness.
UNION STATION (LOS ANGELES)