Regarding the Timing of Kazuo Inamori’s Encounter with “Kenshinsho” by Tempu Nakamura:

Based on an Investigation of Archives Stored in the Inamori Library

Abstract

One book that Kazuo Inamori kept close at hand and read repeatedly was “Kenshinsho” by Tempu Nakamura. In particular, it is known that the word “The success of a new endeavor depends on our indomitable and tireless spirit; therefore, we must visualize our goals intently and earnestly, with a noble motivation at heart.” in “Kenshinsho” was used as the management slogan at Kyocera’s management direction presentation in January 1982, and was also put up as a slogan again during the reconstruction of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., following the company’s bankruptcy.

As Inamori stated in his later years, “I read the book, and it says wonderful things. I really studied it, and a large part of my thinking is influenced by the thoughts of Tempu Nakamura.” Based on these comments, the influence on Inamori from “Kenshinsho” can be surmised to have been large. However, when and how Inamori first encountered “Kenshinsho,” which played such an important role in Inamori’s life and management, and the details of the chance encounter were not completely clear.

The following facts were clarified following an investigation of the archives stored in the Inamori Library, such as received and sent document files. (1) After Inamori gave a lecture at the Sanwa Bank Clover Group held in Kyoto on February 12, 1981, Yoshio Kawabata, then the representative director of Kawataki Corporation, who listened to the lecture, was impressed by the content, which was consistent with the ideas of Tempu Nakamura, and said so to Inamori directly. (2) Inamori received Tempu Nakamura’s “Kenshinsho” along with a letter from Yoshio Kawabata dated February 20, 1981, and thereinafter used “Kenshinsho” as his guide. (3) Inamori’s ideas on the subconscious mind or the importance of ‘thoughts’ were formed before he met Tempu Nakamura’s book. (4) The chance encounter between Inamori and “Kenshinsho” played an essential role in further deepening and developing the ideas and philosophies that Inamori had devised as an entrepreneur.