Yojijukugo
Japanese meaning of 風林火山
Reading:
Voice sample:
ふうりんかざん (fuurin kazan)
English Translation:
Swift as wind, silent as forest, fierce as fire, immovable as mountain
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Swift as the wind, silent as the forest, fierce as fire, immovable as a mountain — a strategy from Sun Tzu’s Art of War.
日本語で読む
「風のように素早く、林のように静かに、火のように激しく、山のように動かない」という孫子の兵法の戦略。
Cultural Context:
Famously used by warlord Takeda Shingen as a battle motto; symbolizes balanced and adaptable strategy.
日本語で読む
戦国武将・武田信玄が軍旗に掲げたことで有名で、バランスと柔軟な戦略の象徴となっている。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• Noun phrase with “のごとく” or “を掲げる” to describe a strategy or motto (“風林火山のごとく動く”).<br>• Famous as a battle standard of warlord Takeda Shingen.
日本語で読む
• 戦略や標語を表す「〜のごとく」「〜を掲げる」（例：「風林火山のごとく動く」）。<br>• 武田信玄の軍旗として有名。
Trap for English Speakers
Might be read as four separate words, but it functions as a single set phrase meaning a balanced strategic approach.
日本語で読む
四語を別々の意味で解釈しがちだが、一体となった戦略理念を示す決まり文句である点に注意。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
風林火山の旗を掲げた武将の戦い方に憧れる。
I admire the tactics of the general who fought under the “Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain” banner.
Example 2Applied Example
「動くこと風の如く、侵略すること火の如し」風林火山の旗が揺れた。
Swift as the wind, fierce as fire — the banner of “Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain” fluttered.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「風林火山」 mean?