Gosei (questions)

Five reflections

For other uses, see Gosei.

Gosei (五省, go-sei, lit., five reflections) is a mental exercise for thinking over the events of each day. Gosei are a series of questions which each cadet is expected to ask himself each day. These five open-ended questions are part of the traditions of Japan's Naval Academy.

History

In the early 1930s, the related Gosei concepts were created by Vice Admiral Hajime Matsushita when he was the Chief of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy.

In the late-Shōwa period, the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) encouraged the use of the Gosei as a self-examination exercise. In today's JMSDF, Gosei is supposed to be one of the ordinary parts of daily living.

Questions

Every evening, Japan's Navy cadets are expected to think carefully about a their actions during the course of the day. This opportunity for self-reflection is guided by the set of five questions, including

1. Have you not gone against sincerity
2. Have you not felt ashamed of your words and deeds
3. Have you not lacked vigor
4. Have you not exerted all possible efforts
5. Have you not become slothful

The Gosei questions have been translated into English for discussion at the United States Naval Academy.

Other websites

• Precepts of Ieyasu Tokugawa" at Wikisource