☯
Takashima Ekidan · hexagram readings
Takashima Ekidan · Hexagram 42 Wind over Thunder, Increase: It is favorable to have somewhere to go; it is favorable to cross the great river.
䷩
Wind over Thunder, Increase: It is favorable to have somewhere to go; it is favorable to cross the great river.
Increase: It is favorable to have somewhere to go; it is favorable to cross the great river.
42 Wind over Thunder—Increase
The hexagram consists of Wind above and Thunder below. Wind is wind, and Thunder is thunder: wind comes from Heaven, while thunder emerges from Earth. Thus, in Diminishment, the lower line of Qian’s yang becomes Wind, while in Increase, the lower line of Kun’s yin becomes Thunder. Increase benefits yin; Diminishment reduces yang. Yang is solid, and Qian is pure yang—the utmost solidity—so it can be diminished. Yin is empty, and Kun is pure yin—the utmost emptiness—so it is called Increase. Moreover, wind’s force, if excessively violent, will destroy and ruin all things; diminishing it harmonizes its vital energy. If thunder’s power is too weak, it cannot stir all things; increasing it allows its energy to flow freely. Therefore, reducing the above and benefiting the below is named the Wind over Thunder hexagram, Increase.
Yi [31]: It is favorable to have somewhere to go; it is favorable to cross the great river.
▲ Oracle-bone script for “Increase”
▲ Seal script for “Increase”
In the character “increase,” the upper part derives from “to flourish”; when laid horizontally, it derives from water. Kan represents water and also the great river. The lower part derives from a vessel. The Explanatory Text says, “Increase is named for growth and means broad abundance.” Growth and broad abundance both express the universality of benefit. Zhen represents movement, and Xun represents benefit; hence it says, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go.” Whenever a hexagram says, “It is favorable to cross the great river,” it may take its image from Qian, Kun, or Xun, according to the hexagram’s imagery. In Increase, the upper trigram is Xun. When the lower part of Xun changes, it forms Qian; when the upper part changes, it forms Kan, thereby obtaining the influences of Qian and Kan. Xun is wind, and wind travels with the greatest speed, meeting no obstacle from waves; therefore it says both, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go,” and, “It is favorable to cross the great river.”
The Tuan Commentary says: Increase means diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below; the people rejoice without limit. From above descending to those below, its way shines greatly. It is favorable to have somewhere to go; centered and correct, there are celebrations. It is favorable to cross the great river; the way of wood can then proceed. Increase moves and is yielding; progress continues daily without limit. Heaven bestows and Earth produces; its benefit has no fixed direction. In all matters, the way of increase moves together with the times.
Increase and Diminishment oppose each other. Diminishment means reduction; in Diminishment, the benefit returns to those above and the reduction falls on those below, inevitably suggesting stripping the people to serve the ruler. Increase means addition; in Increase, the benefit returns to those below and the reduction falls on those above—this embodies Confucius’s intention of enriching the people and educating them. “The people rejoice” comes from the lower trigram Lake of Diminishment; Lake represents joy. When the people receive its benefit, they must feel gratitude, and therefore rejoice. The lower nuclear trigram is Earth; Earth’s way has no limit, and Earth also represents the people, hence “the people rejoice without limit.” “Reducing below and benefiting above” is called “moving upward”; “reducing above and benefiting below” is therefore called “from above descending to those below.” The “way” is the way of Heaven. Reducing Heaven’s yang and benefiting Earth’s yin enables Earth to fulfill Heaven’s greatness and reveal Heaven’s brilliance, hence “its way shines greatly.” The complementary hexagram is Duration. The Tuan of Duration also says, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go”; in Duration, having somewhere to go is beneficial through lasting endurance, whereas in Increase it is beneficial through being centered and correct—correct and centered, and therefore “there are celebrations.” “It is favorable to cross the great river”: three hexagrams mention wood—Increase, Dispersion, and Inner Sincerity—and all take the image of the wood of Wind. In Increase, both Thunder and Wind are wood; the hexagram originally has three firm lines outside and four yielding lines inside, giving the image of “hollowing out wood to make a boat.” Riding the wind, one travels swiftly to the North Sea and swiftly stops at the South Sea. This is what “favorable to cross” and “the way of wood can then proceed” mean. If Increase moves with arrogance and fullness, it immediately changes into Diminishment; if it moves with yielding compliance, what it increases advances day by day. “Benefiting below” means benefiting Earth; therefore joy has no limit, and progress likewise has no limit. Heaven represents bestowal and Earth represents production. The four seasons and the myriad things all receive transformation and nourishment, which cannot be limited to one corner; hence “its benefit has no fixed direction.” The sequence of the four seasons proceeds from Thunder to Wind. Increase is the hexagram of the first month: wind and thunder begin to arise, nourishing rain descends, and rulers model themselves on this by benefiting the people, adding without end. The way is likewise; hence, “moving together with the times.”
Applying this hexagram to human affairs: what benefits me is called increase. But if it benefits me while harming others, it cannot be called Increase. Only when it benefits me without harming others may it properly be called Increase. This is what “diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below” means—in essence, “taking from the abundant and adding to the scant.” Apply this principle to managing a household: if there is surplus, reduce it appropriately, and Diminishment becomes Increase; if there is insufficiency, add to it appropriately, and Increase does not become Diminishment. Apply it to cultivating oneself: when there is something one has not mastered, exert oneself to diminish it—this is diminishing what ought to be diminished; when there is a propriety one has not restored, exert oneself to increase it—this is increasing what ought to be increased. If one proceeds after gaining its benefit, every place one goes brings benefit; that is, every undertaking brings profit. One may travel on level roads, and one may also cross the great river; only by being centered and correct can one obtain “celebrations.” “The way of wood” refers to Thunder and Wind. Everything people use follows its particular advantage: on land they use carts, on water they use boats. The fact that human power can reach places near and far depends precisely on this way of wood. Movement is Thunder; movement that is called progress results from the yielding quality of Wind. Extending the analogy to the operation of Heaven and Earth: above, Heaven bestows; below, Earth produces. A single vital force animates and forges everything, giving rise to inexhaustible growth. The Increase involved cannot be limited. Human affairs are a small universe; they too need only follow Heaven and Earth, proceed in accord with the seasons, and put this into practice.
Applying this hexagram to the state: by defining Increase as “diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below,” the hexagram’s meaning gives every ruler a warning: do not hoard your wealth, do not strip those below to serve those above, and do not enrich the state by impoverishing the people. The opposite is Diminishment. Even if there is sincerity and no blame, diminishing those below is ultimately not an honorable name, and every ruler should regard it with awe. All people wish for no loss and some gain. When there is gain, they rejoice; when they rejoice, they are glad. The more extensive the benefit, the more numerous the joy—east and west, south and north, all submit without resentment. Their joy truly endures and has no limit. The way of Increase descends from above to below; the feeling of joy rises from below in response to above. When above and below trust one another, this is what the fifth line calls “sincere and benevolent at heart.” The way is the way of Heaven: diminishing Heaven and benefiting Earth makes the greatness and radiance of the Heavenly way increasingly visible. Qian represents vigorous movement, and Thunder also represents movement; hence “it is favorable to have somewhere to go.” Proceeding in this way, nothing undertaken is unfavorable. Those crossing rivers benefit from boats, and boats are made of wood; hence “the way of wood.” The sage “uses beautiful benefits to benefit all under Heaven”: hollowing and shaping wood, establishing institutions according to the times, keeping obligations simple while extending benefits widely, he aids the whole realm and comprehends all things. The Commentary on the Trigrams says, “Increase is used to promote benefit”—this is what it means. When the ruler is fundamentally benevolent and practices benevolent government, inspecting the regions and observing the people, all neglected affairs are revived, and everything returns to sincerity; its benefit has no fixed direction. Bestowing and producing are the ways of Heaven, Earth, and the ruler. Moving together with the times is one and the same principle.
Surveying this hexagram as a whole, “Decrease” and “Increase” have opposite names, yet their functions complement each other. Qian below signifies a wealthy and populous state, so “Decrease” is below; Qian above signifies a flourishing court, so “Decrease” is above. Above “Decrease” is not called “Decrease” but “Increase,” because its foundation is strengthened; above “Increase” is not called “Increase” but “Decrease,” because its base is stripped away. This is how the sages taught the importance of enriching those below. If one can decrease, one will increase; hence this hexagram follows “Decrease.” “Decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower” means descending from above to below: the upper proceeds with benefit, and the lower responds with delight. The benefit bestowed by the upper is centered and correct; the delight of the lower lies in having cause for celebration. Thus the upper “uses beautiful benefit to benefit all under Heaven,” without seeking delight, yet the people delight of themselves. When delight reaches this point, the people may be encouraged to labor and forget their toil; then they will not avoid danger, and even stormy waters can be crossed. Where could they go and not succeed? Hence, “It is beneficial to cross the great river.” “Increase moves and is yielding”: Zhen is movement, Xun is compliance; moving forward compliantly, therefore “daily advancing without limit.” “Its way greatly shines” refers to the way of Qian; “the way of wood then proceeds” refers to the way of Xun, and also to the way of Zhen. When Qian moves, it gives; when Kun moves, it generates. Without movement, its benefit cannot be seen; with movement, its benefit appears. Movement has no fixed direction, and Increase likewise has no fixed direction. Observe the way of Heaven: it moves according to the seasons, so its increase likewise proceeds according to the seasons. The gentleman’s “seeing good, he moves toward it; having faults, he changes them” likewise means moving and changing with the times. Knowing that Increase within oneself works this way, one knows that Increase in the world and in states and families is no different. The relating trigrams above and below form “Stripping.” The Image Commentary on Stripping says, “In stripping, the upper enriches the lower,” whose meaning is the same as “decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower.” Yet the six lines of Stripping are mostly ominous, whereas those of Increase are mostly auspicious. The point is to benefit the people by following what benefits them: there is the kindness of Increase without the harm of needless increase. Thus the top line differs from Stripping. The hexagram reverses Decrease, and its six lines also reverse the sequence of Decrease. The first line of Increase, “undertaking great works” and “supreme good fortune,” is the same as the top line of Decrease, “greatly fulfilling one’s aspirations.” The second line of Increase, “ten pairs of tortoises,” is the tortoise of “someone increases it” in the fifth line of Decrease. The third line of Increase, “using it for ominous affairs,” is the same as “decreasing his illness” in the fourth line of Decrease. The fourth line, “moving the state,” is the same as gaining a friend in the third line of Decrease. The fifth line, “having a sincere and benevolent heart,” is the same as “making it one’s aim inwardly” in the third line of Decrease. The top line, “no one increases him,” is the same as “moderately decreasing it” in the first line of Decrease. Some of the wording is inherited from the counterpart; some meanings complement each other; and some purposes oppose each other in order to serve as warnings.The Analects says, “Use resources sparingly and love the people; employ the people at the proper seasons.” “Decrease” means economizing in use; “Increase” means loving the people. “At the proper seasons” means acting together with the seasons. The essential principle of the way of governing a state lies here.
The Image Commentary says: “Wind and thunder: Increase. The gentleman, seeing good, moves toward it; having faults, he changes them.”
Wind and thunder are the rising and descending, advancing and retreating, circling and turning of the two qi, by which they diminish and increase each other. Therefore, with Zhen above and Xun below comes “Duration,” whose Image Commentary says, “Thunder and wind: Duration”; with Xun above and Zhen below comes “Increase,” whose Image Commentary says, “Wind and thunder: Increase.” The Image changes the positions of wind and thunder because when wind and thunder meet, there is no constancy of above and below between Heaven and Earth. In terms of direction, Zhen is mao and Xun is chen-si. Moving from Zhen to Xun is a compliant course; therefore its Increase is extensive. The gentleman models himself on this: seeing another’s goodness, he humbles himself and follows it; seeing his own fault, he turns inward and examines himself. Thus he should move toward good as swiftly as wind and correct faults as boldly as thunder. This is called, “Seeing good, move toward it; having faults, correct them.” The two words “seeing” and “having” reveal the boundary between others and oneself. Wang Bi said, “Nothing is more beneficial than moving toward good and correcting faults.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: Swift thunder and fierce wind indicate that fortune is now entering a vigorous period. This is the time to replace the old with the new.
○ Asked about warfare: Lightning pursues the wind; strike the decisive blow now and victory can be secured.
○ Asked about business: Trade when there is profit; if there is none, change what you sell. Act quickly, not slowly.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: Wind and thunder unite as Increase—greatly fulfilling one’s aspirations.
○ Asked about illness: This is a condition of excessive liver wood. Treatment should reduce yang and support yin.
○ Asked about marriage: Zhen is the man and Xun the woman—a natural match.
○ Asked about the home: This residence must guard against lightning strikes and wind damage. What is sound should be repaired or remodeled; what is decayed should be rebuilt.
○ Asked about litigation: Turn inward and examine yourself. Once anger subsides and tempers calm, the case will end by itself.
○ Asked about a lost object: It has already been moved or changed and cannot be recovered.
○ Asked about pregnancy: A boy if conceived in an odd-numbered month; a girl if in an even-numbered month.
42 Wind over Thunder—Increase
The hexagram consists of Wind above and Thunder below. Wind is wind, and Thunder is thunder: wind comes from Heaven, while thunder emerges from Earth. Thus, in Diminishment, the lower line of Qian’s yang becomes Wind, while in Increase, the lower line of Kun’s yin becomes Thunder. Increase benefits yin; Diminishment reduces yang. Yang is solid, and Qian is pure yang—the utmost solidity—so it can be diminished. Yin is empty, and Kun is pure yin—the utmost emptiness—so it is called Increase. Moreover, wind’s force, if excessively violent, will destroy and ruin all things; diminishing it harmonizes its vital energy. If thunder’s power is too weak, it cannot stir all things; increasing it allows its energy to flow freely. Therefore, reducing the above and benefiting the below is named the Wind over Thunder hexagram, Increase.
Yi [31]: It is favorable to have somewhere to go; it is favorable to cross the great river.
▲ Oracle-bone script for “Increase”
▲ Seal script for “Increase”
In the character “increase,” the upper part derives from “to flourish”; when laid horizontally, it derives from water. Kan represents water and also the great river. The lower part derives from a vessel. The Explanatory Text says, “Increase is named for growth and means broad abundance.” Growth and broad abundance both express the universality of benefit. Zhen represents movement, and Xun represents benefit; hence it says, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go.” Whenever a hexagram says, “It is favorable to cross the great river,” it may take its image from Qian, Kun, or Xun, according to the hexagram’s imagery. In Increase, the upper trigram is Xun. When the lower part of Xun changes, it forms Qian; when the upper part changes, it forms Kan, thereby obtaining the influences of Qian and Kan. Xun is wind, and wind travels with the greatest speed, meeting no obstacle from waves; therefore it says both, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go,” and, “It is favorable to cross the great river.”
The Tuan Commentary says: Increase means diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below; the people rejoice without limit. From above descending to those below, its way shines greatly. It is favorable to have somewhere to go; centered and correct, there are celebrations. It is favorable to cross the great river; the way of wood can then proceed. Increase moves and is yielding; progress continues daily without limit. Heaven bestows and Earth produces; its benefit has no fixed direction. In all matters, the way of increase moves together with the times.
Increase and Diminishment oppose each other. Diminishment means reduction; in Diminishment, the benefit returns to those above and the reduction falls on those below, inevitably suggesting stripping the people to serve the ruler. Increase means addition; in Increase, the benefit returns to those below and the reduction falls on those above—this embodies Confucius’s intention of enriching the people and educating them. “The people rejoice” comes from the lower trigram Lake of Diminishment; Lake represents joy. When the people receive its benefit, they must feel gratitude, and therefore rejoice. The lower nuclear trigram is Earth; Earth’s way has no limit, and Earth also represents the people, hence “the people rejoice without limit.” “Reducing below and benefiting above” is called “moving upward”; “reducing above and benefiting below” is therefore called “from above descending to those below.” The “way” is the way of Heaven. Reducing Heaven’s yang and benefiting Earth’s yin enables Earth to fulfill Heaven’s greatness and reveal Heaven’s brilliance, hence “its way shines greatly.” The complementary hexagram is Duration. The Tuan of Duration also says, “It is favorable to have somewhere to go”; in Duration, having somewhere to go is beneficial through lasting endurance, whereas in Increase it is beneficial through being centered and correct—correct and centered, and therefore “there are celebrations.” “It is favorable to cross the great river”: three hexagrams mention wood—Increase, Dispersion, and Inner Sincerity—and all take the image of the wood of Wind. In Increase, both Thunder and Wind are wood; the hexagram originally has three firm lines outside and four yielding lines inside, giving the image of “hollowing out wood to make a boat.” Riding the wind, one travels swiftly to the North Sea and swiftly stops at the South Sea. This is what “favorable to cross” and “the way of wood can then proceed” mean. If Increase moves with arrogance and fullness, it immediately changes into Diminishment; if it moves with yielding compliance, what it increases advances day by day. “Benefiting below” means benefiting Earth; therefore joy has no limit, and progress likewise has no limit. Heaven represents bestowal and Earth represents production. The four seasons and the myriad things all receive transformation and nourishment, which cannot be limited to one corner; hence “its benefit has no fixed direction.” The sequence of the four seasons proceeds from Thunder to Wind. Increase is the hexagram of the first month: wind and thunder begin to arise, nourishing rain descends, and rulers model themselves on this by benefiting the people, adding without end. The way is likewise; hence, “moving together with the times.”
Applying this hexagram to human affairs: what benefits me is called increase. But if it benefits me while harming others, it cannot be called Increase. Only when it benefits me without harming others may it properly be called Increase. This is what “diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below” means—in essence, “taking from the abundant and adding to the scant.” Apply this principle to managing a household: if there is surplus, reduce it appropriately, and Diminishment becomes Increase; if there is insufficiency, add to it appropriately, and Increase does not become Diminishment. Apply it to cultivating oneself: when there is something one has not mastered, exert oneself to diminish it—this is diminishing what ought to be diminished; when there is a propriety one has not restored, exert oneself to increase it—this is increasing what ought to be increased. If one proceeds after gaining its benefit, every place one goes brings benefit; that is, every undertaking brings profit. One may travel on level roads, and one may also cross the great river; only by being centered and correct can one obtain “celebrations.” “The way of wood” refers to Thunder and Wind. Everything people use follows its particular advantage: on land they use carts, on water they use boats. The fact that human power can reach places near and far depends precisely on this way of wood. Movement is Thunder; movement that is called progress results from the yielding quality of Wind. Extending the analogy to the operation of Heaven and Earth: above, Heaven bestows; below, Earth produces. A single vital force animates and forges everything, giving rise to inexhaustible growth. The Increase involved cannot be limited. Human affairs are a small universe; they too need only follow Heaven and Earth, proceed in accord with the seasons, and put this into practice.
Applying this hexagram to the state: by defining Increase as “diminishing what is above and benefiting what is below,” the hexagram’s meaning gives every ruler a warning: do not hoard your wealth, do not strip those below to serve those above, and do not enrich the state by impoverishing the people. The opposite is Diminishment. Even if there is sincerity and no blame, diminishing those below is ultimately not an honorable name, and every ruler should regard it with awe. All people wish for no loss and some gain. When there is gain, they rejoice; when they rejoice, they are glad. The more extensive the benefit, the more numerous the joy—east and west, south and north, all submit without resentment. Their joy truly endures and has no limit. The way of Increase descends from above to below; the feeling of joy rises from below in response to above. When above and below trust one another, this is what the fifth line calls “sincere and benevolent at heart.” The way is the way of Heaven: diminishing Heaven and benefiting Earth makes the greatness and radiance of the Heavenly way increasingly visible. Qian represents vigorous movement, and Thunder also represents movement; hence “it is favorable to have somewhere to go.” Proceeding in this way, nothing undertaken is unfavorable. Those crossing rivers benefit from boats, and boats are made of wood; hence “the way of wood.” The sage “uses beautiful benefits to benefit all under Heaven”: hollowing and shaping wood, establishing institutions according to the times, keeping obligations simple while extending benefits widely, he aids the whole realm and comprehends all things. The Commentary on the Trigrams says, “Increase is used to promote benefit”—this is what it means. When the ruler is fundamentally benevolent and practices benevolent government, inspecting the regions and observing the people, all neglected affairs are revived, and everything returns to sincerity; its benefit has no fixed direction. Bestowing and producing are the ways of Heaven, Earth, and the ruler. Moving together with the times is one and the same principle.
Surveying this hexagram as a whole, “Decrease” and “Increase” have opposite names, yet their functions complement each other. Qian below signifies a wealthy and populous state, so “Decrease” is below; Qian above signifies a flourishing court, so “Decrease” is above. Above “Decrease” is not called “Decrease” but “Increase,” because its foundation is strengthened; above “Increase” is not called “Increase” but “Decrease,” because its base is stripped away. This is how the sages taught the importance of enriching those below. If one can decrease, one will increase; hence this hexagram follows “Decrease.” “Decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower” means descending from above to below: the upper proceeds with benefit, and the lower responds with delight. The benefit bestowed by the upper is centered and correct; the delight of the lower lies in having cause for celebration. Thus the upper “uses beautiful benefit to benefit all under Heaven,” without seeking delight, yet the people delight of themselves. When delight reaches this point, the people may be encouraged to labor and forget their toil; then they will not avoid danger, and even stormy waters can be crossed. Where could they go and not succeed? Hence, “It is beneficial to cross the great river.” “Increase moves and is yielding”: Zhen is movement, Xun is compliance; moving forward compliantly, therefore “daily advancing without limit.” “Its way greatly shines” refers to the way of Qian; “the way of wood then proceeds” refers to the way of Xun, and also to the way of Zhen. When Qian moves, it gives; when Kun moves, it generates. Without movement, its benefit cannot be seen; with movement, its benefit appears. Movement has no fixed direction, and Increase likewise has no fixed direction. Observe the way of Heaven: it moves according to the seasons, so its increase likewise proceeds according to the seasons. The gentleman’s “seeing good, he moves toward it; having faults, he changes them” likewise means moving and changing with the times. Knowing that Increase within oneself works this way, one knows that Increase in the world and in states and families is no different. The relating trigrams above and below form “Stripping.” The Image Commentary on Stripping says, “In stripping, the upper enriches the lower,” whose meaning is the same as “decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower.” Yet the six lines of Stripping are mostly ominous, whereas those of Increase are mostly auspicious. The point is to benefit the people by following what benefits them: there is the kindness of Increase without the harm of needless increase. Thus the top line differs from Stripping. The hexagram reverses Decrease, and its six lines also reverse the sequence of Decrease. The first line of Increase, “undertaking great works” and “supreme good fortune,” is the same as the top line of Decrease, “greatly fulfilling one’s aspirations.” The second line of Increase, “ten pairs of tortoises,” is the tortoise of “someone increases it” in the fifth line of Decrease. The third line of Increase, “using it for ominous affairs,” is the same as “decreasing his illness” in the fourth line of Decrease. The fourth line, “moving the state,” is the same as gaining a friend in the third line of Decrease. The fifth line, “having a sincere and benevolent heart,” is the same as “making it one’s aim inwardly” in the third line of Decrease. The top line, “no one increases him,” is the same as “moderately decreasing it” in the first line of Decrease. Some of the wording is inherited from the counterpart; some meanings complement each other; and some purposes oppose each other in order to serve as warnings.The Analects says, “Use resources sparingly and love the people; employ the people at the proper seasons.” “Decrease” means economizing in use; “Increase” means loving the people. “At the proper seasons” means acting together with the seasons. The essential principle of the way of governing a state lies here.
The Image Commentary says: “Wind and thunder: Increase. The gentleman, seeing good, moves toward it; having faults, he changes them.”
Wind and thunder are the rising and descending, advancing and retreating, circling and turning of the two qi, by which they diminish and increase each other. Therefore, with Zhen above and Xun below comes “Duration,” whose Image Commentary says, “Thunder and wind: Duration”; with Xun above and Zhen below comes “Increase,” whose Image Commentary says, “Wind and thunder: Increase.” The Image changes the positions of wind and thunder because when wind and thunder meet, there is no constancy of above and below between Heaven and Earth. In terms of direction, Zhen is mao and Xun is chen-si. Moving from Zhen to Xun is a compliant course; therefore its Increase is extensive. The gentleman models himself on this: seeing another’s goodness, he humbles himself and follows it; seeing his own fault, he turns inward and examines himself. Thus he should move toward good as swiftly as wind and correct faults as boldly as thunder. This is called, “Seeing good, move toward it; having faults, correct them.” The two words “seeing” and “having” reveal the boundary between others and oneself. Wang Bi said, “Nothing is more beneficial than moving toward good and correcting faults.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: Swift thunder and fierce wind indicate that fortune is now entering a vigorous period. This is the time to replace the old with the new.
○ Asked about warfare: Lightning pursues the wind; strike the decisive blow now and victory can be secured.
○ Asked about business: Trade when there is profit; if there is none, change what you sell. Act quickly, not slowly.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: Wind and thunder unite as Increase—greatly fulfilling one’s aspirations.
○ Asked about illness: This is a condition of excessive liver wood. Treatment should reduce yang and support yin.
○ Asked about marriage: Zhen is the man and Xun the woman—a natural match.
○ Asked about the home: This residence must guard against lightning strikes and wind damage. What is sound should be repaired or remodeled; what is decayed should be rebuilt.
○ Asked about litigation: Turn inward and examine yourself. Once anger subsides and tempers calm, the case will end by itself.
○ Asked about a lost object: It has already been moved or changed and cannot be recovered.
○ Asked about pregnancy: A boy if conceived in an odd-numbered month; a girl if in an even-numbered month.
Nine in the first place: It is beneficial to undertake great works. Supreme good fortune; no blame.
Nine in the first place: It is beneficial to undertake great works. Supreme good fortune; no blame.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Supreme good fortune, no blame”: those below do not regard the undertaking as burdensome.
“Great works” refers to the Son of Heaven’s tours of inspection, such as “in spring inspecting the plowing and making up deficiencies, in autumn inspecting the harvest and assisting those lacking.” Other sacrifices, proclamations, relief loans, and moving a state are also “great works.” Zhen is making; Xun is benefit; Qian is greatness and origin; Kun is use and thickness. “Weighty undertaking” thus means “great works.” The first line is at the bottom of the inner hexagram, the beginning of affairs. When a ruler undertakes a great matter and establishes a great achievement, he considers lasting benefit, and the rules are determined at the outset; therefore, “it is beneficial to undertake great works.” At the beginning, the matter is undertaken together with all under Heaven, and its benefit is shared with all under Heaven. Thus the people below gladly pursue the public cause and willingly contribute their labor. They do not regard it as the ruler’s affair, but directly as their own; hence “supreme good fortune, no blame.” The Commentary on the Image explains this by saying that those below do not regard the undertaking as weighty and difficult; instead, they find it easy and gladly follow, eagerly competing to go first. Hence good fortune and no blame. Some say that Zhen belongs to spring, and Xun to the transition from spring to summer; “great works” means the work of spring plowing, referred to in the Appended Judgments: “The benefit of the plow and harrow was taken from Increase to teach the world.” This interpretation also makes sense.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: Good fortune is just beginning. One may undertake great matters, and everything will go as wished. Auspicious.
○ Asked about warfare: Once the forces first engage, a single battle can establish great victory. There will be good fortune and no blame.
○ Asked about business: This is a first-time enterprise. With substantial capital and large-scale management, great profit can be gained, and it can continue for a long time without blame.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: One may hope to rank first throughout the realm. Great auspiciousness.
○ Asked about the home: This is a newly built residence, with spacious buildings. Great auspiciousness and no blame.
○ Regarding marriage: Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about litigation: This lawsuit concerns a major public matter, not personal resentment. No blame.
○ Asked about a traveler: The person away from home is presently engaged in planning matters and establishing a career, and will not return for a while.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
[Case] In the twenty-fourth year of the Meiji era, divining whether the autumn harvest would be abundant or poor, the result was Increase changing to Contemplation.
The judgment said: Yu’s interpretation takes “great works” as spring plowing, namely what the Appended Judgments call the benefit of the plow and harrow taken from Increase. This accords exactly with the autumn-harvest divination. The line text says “beneficial,” “supreme good fortune,” and “no blame,” so we know the harvest must be abundant, not poor. The hexagram is named Increase, and its structure is called “benefiting the lower”; the year’s grain will ripen abundantly, filling a thousand granaries and ten thousand chests. It is exactly as the Tuan Commentary says: “Heaven bestows, Earth produces; its benefit has no fixed direction.” No good fortune could be greater.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Supreme good fortune, no blame”: those below do not regard the undertaking as burdensome.
“Great works” refers to the Son of Heaven’s tours of inspection, such as “in spring inspecting the plowing and making up deficiencies, in autumn inspecting the harvest and assisting those lacking.” Other sacrifices, proclamations, relief loans, and moving a state are also “great works.” Zhen is making; Xun is benefit; Qian is greatness and origin; Kun is use and thickness. “Weighty undertaking” thus means “great works.” The first line is at the bottom of the inner hexagram, the beginning of affairs. When a ruler undertakes a great matter and establishes a great achievement, he considers lasting benefit, and the rules are determined at the outset; therefore, “it is beneficial to undertake great works.” At the beginning, the matter is undertaken together with all under Heaven, and its benefit is shared with all under Heaven. Thus the people below gladly pursue the public cause and willingly contribute their labor. They do not regard it as the ruler’s affair, but directly as their own; hence “supreme good fortune, no blame.” The Commentary on the Image explains this by saying that those below do not regard the undertaking as weighty and difficult; instead, they find it easy and gladly follow, eagerly competing to go first. Hence good fortune and no blame. Some say that Zhen belongs to spring, and Xun to the transition from spring to summer; “great works” means the work of spring plowing, referred to in the Appended Judgments: “The benefit of the plow and harrow was taken from Increase to teach the world.” This interpretation also makes sense.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: Good fortune is just beginning. One may undertake great matters, and everything will go as wished. Auspicious.
○ Asked about warfare: Once the forces first engage, a single battle can establish great victory. There will be good fortune and no blame.
○ Asked about business: This is a first-time enterprise. With substantial capital and large-scale management, great profit can be gained, and it can continue for a long time without blame.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: One may hope to rank first throughout the realm. Great auspiciousness.
○ Asked about the home: This is a newly built residence, with spacious buildings. Great auspiciousness and no blame.
○ Regarding marriage: Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about litigation: This lawsuit concerns a major public matter, not personal resentment. No blame.
○ Asked about a traveler: The person away from home is presently engaged in planning matters and establishing a career, and will not return for a while.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
[Case] In the twenty-fourth year of the Meiji era, divining whether the autumn harvest would be abundant or poor, the result was Increase changing to Contemplation.
The judgment said: Yu’s interpretation takes “great works” as spring plowing, namely what the Appended Judgments call the benefit of the plow and harrow taken from Increase. This accords exactly with the autumn-harvest divination. The line text says “beneficial,” “supreme good fortune,” and “no blame,” so we know the harvest must be abundant, not poor. The hexagram is named Increase, and its structure is called “benefiting the lower”; the year’s grain will ripen abundantly, filling a thousand granaries and ten thousand chests. It is exactly as the Tuan Commentary says: “Heaven bestows, Earth produces; its benefit has no fixed direction.” No good fortune could be greater.
Six in the second place: Someone increases him with ten pairs of tortoises; he cannot refuse them. Persistent correctness brings good fortune. The king uses them to make offerings to the Supreme God. Auspicious.
Six in the second place: Someone increases him with ten pairs of tortoises; he cannot refuse them. Persistent correctness brings good fortune. The king uses them to make offerings to the Supreme God. Auspicious.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Someone increases him”—it comes from outside.
“Ten pairs of tortoises” is explained as in the fifth line of Decrease: the tortoise of the second line of Increase is the same tortoise as that of the fifth line of Decrease. In Decrease’s fifth line, the tortoise is offered to the upper; in Increase’s second line, what is offered below is turned around and used to benefit those below. The tortoise benefits people, and its numinous power is sufficient to be preserved through generations; it is not merely a temporary auspicious sign. Hence, “persistent correctness brings good fortune.” The second line occupies the center of Zhen, is in its proper place, and corresponds to Xun. Zhen signifies the emperor and sacrifice; hence, “the king uses them to make offerings to the Supreme God.” “The king” refers to the ninth in the fifth place. The fifth uses the tortoise-pairs of the second to announce the offering to the Supreme God and seek blessing from above; no auspiciousness could be greater. The Suburban Sacrifice: Special Victim says, “For the suburban sacrifice, divination receives the mandate in the ancestral temple; the lightning is made in the temple of the deceased father.” This concerns using a tortoise in offering to the Supreme God. The Commentary on the Image explains “it comes from outside”: taking Increase as inner and Decrease as outer, the tortoise comes from Decrease, hence “from outside.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: One will gain unexpected wealth and be able to preserve it through the generations. Lasting good fortune.
○ Asked about warfare: In ancient times armies divined first, and commanders prayed before setting out. This line is wholly auspicious, so victory is certain. “It comes from outside” can also mean attacking from outside.
○ Asked about business: Shell money means currency; “ten” signifies fullness in number. “Someone increases it” suggests possible divine assistance. Obtaining this line in business indicates substantial profit and lasting good fortune.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: In ancient times, appointments of ministers and recommendations of worthy people were all decided through divination. Once an auspicious sign is obtained, prominence is assured; hence “lasting good fortune.”
○ Asked about illness: Pray and it will heal.
○ Asked about the home: Lines two through four form Kun. Kun signifies safety and earth, an image of a secure residence. Kun says “beneficial to remain correct forever,” hence “lasting correctness brings good fortune.” This residence can be occupied for a long time.
○ Asked about marriage: Zhen and Xun are the eldest son and eldest daughter. Divining this is an auspicious sign like the phoenix; it has long been regarded as a good omen. It indicates a harmonious union lasting a hundred years, hence lasting good fortune.
○ Pregnancy: A boy will be born.
[Case] A friend came and asked for a divination concerning the administration of a wealthy gentleman’s household. The result was Increase changing to Inner Truth.
The judgment said: The second line is in the center of the inner hexagram, its yielding nature occupies the proper place. The hexagram is called Increase, so we already know that the household’s internal administration is proper, with benefit and no loss. The History of the Han: Treatise on Food and Money says, “Nothing people use surpasses the tortoise”; the tortoise means shell money. “Ten pairs of tortoises”—ten is the number of fullness, an image of abundance. “Someone increases it” means we do not know who is providing the increase. The Commentary on the Image says, “It comes from outside,” evidently meaning that the benefit comes from outside. The Correct Meaning says that the second line of Increase uses humility; things come from outside, and the paired tortoises offer counsel that cannot be refused. Therefore it says that lasting correctness brings good fortune. Making offerings to the Supreme God means that enlightened spirits send blessings and report to Heaven. This is the “blessing from above” mentioned in the fifth line of Decrease. “Above” means Heaven: “Heaven itself blesses him; good fortune, with nothing unfavorable.” Is this not what is happening here? Now, divining about this wealthy gentleman’s household administration and obtaining this line statement, we know that the gentleman’s family customs are pure and upright, and its internal affairs are well ordered. Divination presents auspicious signs, and prayer brings blessings from the divine. The family’s prosperity advances and increases day by day. It responds to the season and receives Heaven’s favor; it can become great and enduring, with no end in sight.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Someone increases him”—it comes from outside.
“Ten pairs of tortoises” is explained as in the fifth line of Decrease: the tortoise of the second line of Increase is the same tortoise as that of the fifth line of Decrease. In Decrease’s fifth line, the tortoise is offered to the upper; in Increase’s second line, what is offered below is turned around and used to benefit those below. The tortoise benefits people, and its numinous power is sufficient to be preserved through generations; it is not merely a temporary auspicious sign. Hence, “persistent correctness brings good fortune.” The second line occupies the center of Zhen, is in its proper place, and corresponds to Xun. Zhen signifies the emperor and sacrifice; hence, “the king uses them to make offerings to the Supreme God.” “The king” refers to the ninth in the fifth place. The fifth uses the tortoise-pairs of the second to announce the offering to the Supreme God and seek blessing from above; no auspiciousness could be greater. The Suburban Sacrifice: Special Victim says, “For the suburban sacrifice, divination receives the mandate in the ancestral temple; the lightning is made in the temple of the deceased father.” This concerns using a tortoise in offering to the Supreme God. The Commentary on the Image explains “it comes from outside”: taking Increase as inner and Decrease as outer, the tortoise comes from Decrease, hence “from outside.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: One will gain unexpected wealth and be able to preserve it through the generations. Lasting good fortune.
○ Asked about warfare: In ancient times armies divined first, and commanders prayed before setting out. This line is wholly auspicious, so victory is certain. “It comes from outside” can also mean attacking from outside.
○ Asked about business: Shell money means currency; “ten” signifies fullness in number. “Someone increases it” suggests possible divine assistance. Obtaining this line in business indicates substantial profit and lasting good fortune.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: In ancient times, appointments of ministers and recommendations of worthy people were all decided through divination. Once an auspicious sign is obtained, prominence is assured; hence “lasting good fortune.”
○ Asked about illness: Pray and it will heal.
○ Asked about the home: Lines two through four form Kun. Kun signifies safety and earth, an image of a secure residence. Kun says “beneficial to remain correct forever,” hence “lasting correctness brings good fortune.” This residence can be occupied for a long time.
○ Asked about marriage: Zhen and Xun are the eldest son and eldest daughter. Divining this is an auspicious sign like the phoenix; it has long been regarded as a good omen. It indicates a harmonious union lasting a hundred years, hence lasting good fortune.
○ Pregnancy: A boy will be born.
[Case] A friend came and asked for a divination concerning the administration of a wealthy gentleman’s household. The result was Increase changing to Inner Truth.
The judgment said: The second line is in the center of the inner hexagram, its yielding nature occupies the proper place. The hexagram is called Increase, so we already know that the household’s internal administration is proper, with benefit and no loss. The History of the Han: Treatise on Food and Money says, “Nothing people use surpasses the tortoise”; the tortoise means shell money. “Ten pairs of tortoises”—ten is the number of fullness, an image of abundance. “Someone increases it” means we do not know who is providing the increase. The Commentary on the Image says, “It comes from outside,” evidently meaning that the benefit comes from outside. The Correct Meaning says that the second line of Increase uses humility; things come from outside, and the paired tortoises offer counsel that cannot be refused. Therefore it says that lasting correctness brings good fortune. Making offerings to the Supreme God means that enlightened spirits send blessings and report to Heaven. This is the “blessing from above” mentioned in the fifth line of Decrease. “Above” means Heaven: “Heaven itself blesses him; good fortune, with nothing unfavorable.” Is this not what is happening here? Now, divining about this wealthy gentleman’s household administration and obtaining this line statement, we know that the gentleman’s family customs are pure and upright, and its internal affairs are well ordered. Divination presents auspicious signs, and prayer brings blessings from the divine. The family’s prosperity advances and increases day by day. It responds to the season and receives Heaven’s favor; it can become great and enduring, with no end in sight.
Six in the third place: Increase him by using it for ominous affairs; no blame. There is sincerity; proceed in the middle way and report to the duke using a jade tablet.
Six in the third place: Increase him by using it for ominous affairs; no blame. There is sincerity; proceed in the middle way and report to the duke using a jade tablet.［32］
The Commentary on the Image says: “Using Increase for ominous affairs”—it is something firmly possessed.
Six in the third place is yin in a yang position, at the extreme of Zhen. It is movement seeking increase, hence “increase him.” The lower relating trigram is Kun, which signifies use, affairs, death and mourning; hence “use it for ominous affairs.” When Increase is at the third place, the people’s trust is already firmly established. It benefits not only in ordinary times but also in times of change. Increase is not for private self-interest; it is used according to the time, with the aim of rescuing from calamity. Thus the undertaking is blameless, hence “no blame.” When the third line moves, the body becomes Family; the top line of Family says, “There is sincerity, majestic presence.” Zhen is the response, showing sincere mutual response and the majesty of trust. The third line is at the center between the inner and outer trigrams, and Zhen also signifies movement; hence “there is sincerity; proceed in the middle way.” Zhen signifies the feudal lords and also announcement; hence “report to the duke.” The Rites of Zhou says, “The precious jade tablet is used to summon defenders and to relieve calamity and famine.” Mao of Xihe said, “Whenever the ruler performs rites concerning calamity, he sends out the precious jade tablet to convey the royal command, so that relief may be provided for calamity and famine—either remitting levies or relaxing policies.” This is precisely the “using it for ominous affairs” of Increase below. The jade tablet is a token of trust, used to demonstrate sincerity and connect the feelings of those above and below; hence, “report to the duke using a jade tablet.” The Commentary on the Image explains “it is something firmly possessed”: when Increase is used for ominous affairs, the people merely know it as benefit and do not know it as an ominous matter, considering the affair something inherently theirs. When Increase reaches the point of being used for ominous affairs, its benefit truly has no fixed direction. When an ominous matter seems “inherently possessed,” the boundlessness of the people’s delight is all the more evident. The Image Commentary on the first line says, “Those below do not regard the undertaking as burdensome,” which has the same meaning.；
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: The course of fortune contains many disappointments, but because of one’s consistent honesty, everyone trusts this person, so there will be no blame.
○ Asked about warfare: War is inherently ominous, and the army has also fallen into dangerous terrain. Fortunately, all the troops unite and exert themselves, reach the main camp with an urgent report, and are rescued from danger. No blame.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: Hardship first, sweetness later; difficulty first, attainment afterward.
○ Asked about business: As the saying goes, “If you seek wealth, take the dangerous road.”
○ Asked about the home: This residence has many ominous features. Only the virtue of following the middle way can transform danger into good fortune.
○ Asked about marriage: The marriage may be formed amid mourning clothes, but there will be no blame.
○ Asked about litigation: It is necessary to appeal to a superior official; only then will the matter be formally acknowledged and the lawsuit end.
○ Asked about a lost object: It may become involved in litigation.
○ Pregnancy: A boy will be born.
[Case] A friend came and asked for a divination about his current circumstances. The result was Increase changing to Family.
The judgment says: The line text says, “Benefit through calamity,” meaning that one can overcome the utmost danger and rescue others from peril; this is the most difficult and urgent aspect of Increase. It says, “With sincerity, follow the central path; report to the duke and use the jade tablet,” meaning that in matters requiring benefit, if one follows the central way and gains people’s trust, one may report the matter to the authorities above and obtain approval without fail. You have consulted about your fortunes and received this line. I know that you have an excessive desire to seek increase; once private interests become involved, blame will be hard to avoid. Fortunately, your aim is to avert calamity, your conduct has always been upright and balanced, and you can handle affairs with genuine dedication; thus you may remain free of blame. This is the interpretation based on the line’s image. I recently heard that you established an immigrant company in the region of North America, acquiring land and developing agriculture and livestock enterprises so that the propertyless could each take up an occupation. This is what the line text means by “Benefit through calamity.” Recently, poor people have trusted you and moved abroad in groups; this is what the line calls “with sincerity, follow the central path.” The government has praised and rewarded you for initiating this great enterprise of rescuing people from calamity and danger; this is the meaning of “report to the duke and use the jade tablet.” The fourth line says, “Follow; it is beneficial to use this to relocate the state,” making the meaning even clearer. The fifth line says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart,” making its virtue still more evident. The Commentary on the Image says, “Greatly attaining one’s aim.” This is precisely the time when you are attaining your aim.
Example: In April of Meiji 25, I assumed the position of president of the Hokkaido Coal Mine and Railway Company. During a tour of the railway and mines, the severe cold and unmelted snow caused me to catch a chill and fall ill. I stayed at an inn in Sapporo and was examined by the director of Sapporo Hospital; my fever exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. The next morning, as I was about to enter the hospital, I cast a divination and received Increase changing to the Family.
The judgment says: This hexagram is called Increase; the word increase means growth, and the same applies to illness. The line says, “Benefit through calamity”; in the context of illness, this seems to mean that the danger will increase. The following day corresponds to the fourth line, whose text contains the words “beneficial” and “relocate the state.”
I have always placed deep trust in I Ching divination, so I decided to set out despite my illness. I informed the hospital director and asked for some medicine, but he stopped me and would not agree. That night I boarded a steamship at Otaru and arrived in Hakodate the next morning. Suddenly a telegram arrived from Sapporo reporting that a fire had broken out in the city the previous night and that the inn where I had stayed had been consumed by the flames. Then I realized that what the mechanism of the I Ching had indicated did not concern illness but fire. Its spiritual subtlety truly cannot be fathomed. At the time, the Sapporo News Company commented that my actions suggested I had foreseen the fire and left. In fact, I had divined because I was ill and interpreted the result solely in terms of illness: I knew only that it was ominous, though fortunately without blame, and therefore traveled despite my condition. I had never speculated about a fire. Only afterward, analyzing the event, did I understand that the resulting hexagram was Separation, which represents fire.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Using Increase for ominous affairs”—it is something firmly possessed.
Six in the third place is yin in a yang position, at the extreme of Zhen. It is movement seeking increase, hence “increase him.” The lower relating trigram is Kun, which signifies use, affairs, death and mourning; hence “use it for ominous affairs.” When Increase is at the third place, the people’s trust is already firmly established. It benefits not only in ordinary times but also in times of change. Increase is not for private self-interest; it is used according to the time, with the aim of rescuing from calamity. Thus the undertaking is blameless, hence “no blame.” When the third line moves, the body becomes Family; the top line of Family says, “There is sincerity, majestic presence.” Zhen is the response, showing sincere mutual response and the majesty of trust. The third line is at the center between the inner and outer trigrams, and Zhen also signifies movement; hence “there is sincerity; proceed in the middle way.” Zhen signifies the feudal lords and also announcement; hence “report to the duke.” The Rites of Zhou says, “The precious jade tablet is used to summon defenders and to relieve calamity and famine.” Mao of Xihe said, “Whenever the ruler performs rites concerning calamity, he sends out the precious jade tablet to convey the royal command, so that relief may be provided for calamity and famine—either remitting levies or relaxing policies.” This is precisely the “using it for ominous affairs” of Increase below. The jade tablet is a token of trust, used to demonstrate sincerity and connect the feelings of those above and below; hence, “report to the duke using a jade tablet.” The Commentary on the Image explains “it is something firmly possessed”: when Increase is used for ominous affairs, the people merely know it as benefit and do not know it as an ominous matter, considering the affair something inherently theirs. When Increase reaches the point of being used for ominous affairs, its benefit truly has no fixed direction. When an ominous matter seems “inherently possessed,” the boundlessness of the people’s delight is all the more evident. The Image Commentary on the first line says, “Those below do not regard the undertaking as burdensome,” which has the same meaning.；
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortune: The course of fortune contains many disappointments, but because of one’s consistent honesty, everyone trusts this person, so there will be no blame.
○ Asked about warfare: War is inherently ominous, and the army has also fallen into dangerous terrain. Fortunately, all the troops unite and exert themselves, reach the main camp with an urgent report, and are rescued from danger. No blame.
○ Asked about honors and reputation: Hardship first, sweetness later; difficulty first, attainment afterward.
○ Asked about business: As the saying goes, “If you seek wealth, take the dangerous road.”
○ Asked about the home: This residence has many ominous features. Only the virtue of following the middle way can transform danger into good fortune.
○ Asked about marriage: The marriage may be formed amid mourning clothes, but there will be no blame.
○ Asked about litigation: It is necessary to appeal to a superior official; only then will the matter be formally acknowledged and the lawsuit end.
○ Asked about a lost object: It may become involved in litigation.
○ Pregnancy: A boy will be born.
[Case] A friend came and asked for a divination about his current circumstances. The result was Increase changing to Family.
The judgment says: The line text says, “Benefit through calamity,” meaning that one can overcome the utmost danger and rescue others from peril; this is the most difficult and urgent aspect of Increase. It says, “With sincerity, follow the central path; report to the duke and use the jade tablet,” meaning that in matters requiring benefit, if one follows the central way and gains people’s trust, one may report the matter to the authorities above and obtain approval without fail. You have consulted about your fortunes and received this line. I know that you have an excessive desire to seek increase; once private interests become involved, blame will be hard to avoid. Fortunately, your aim is to avert calamity, your conduct has always been upright and balanced, and you can handle affairs with genuine dedication; thus you may remain free of blame. This is the interpretation based on the line’s image. I recently heard that you established an immigrant company in the region of North America, acquiring land and developing agriculture and livestock enterprises so that the propertyless could each take up an occupation. This is what the line text means by “Benefit through calamity.” Recently, poor people have trusted you and moved abroad in groups; this is what the line calls “with sincerity, follow the central path.” The government has praised and rewarded you for initiating this great enterprise of rescuing people from calamity and danger; this is the meaning of “report to the duke and use the jade tablet.” The fourth line says, “Follow; it is beneficial to use this to relocate the state,” making the meaning even clearer. The fifth line says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart,” making its virtue still more evident. The Commentary on the Image says, “Greatly attaining one’s aim.” This is precisely the time when you are attaining your aim.
Example: In April of Meiji 25, I assumed the position of president of the Hokkaido Coal Mine and Railway Company. During a tour of the railway and mines, the severe cold and unmelted snow caused me to catch a chill and fall ill. I stayed at an inn in Sapporo and was examined by the director of Sapporo Hospital; my fever exceeded 40 degrees Celsius. The next morning, as I was about to enter the hospital, I cast a divination and received Increase changing to the Family.
The judgment says: This hexagram is called Increase; the word increase means growth, and the same applies to illness. The line says, “Benefit through calamity”; in the context of illness, this seems to mean that the danger will increase. The following day corresponds to the fourth line, whose text contains the words “beneficial” and “relocate the state.”
I have always placed deep trust in I Ching divination, so I decided to set out despite my illness. I informed the hospital director and asked for some medicine, but he stopped me and would not agree. That night I boarded a steamship at Otaru and arrived in Hakodate the next morning. Suddenly a telegram arrived from Sapporo reporting that a fire had broken out in the city the previous night and that the inn where I had stayed had been consumed by the flames. Then I realized that what the mechanism of the I Ching had indicated did not concern illness but fire. Its spiritual subtlety truly cannot be fathomed. At the time, the Sapporo News Company commented that my actions suggested I had foreseen the fire and left. In fact, I had divined because I was ill and interpreted the result solely in terms of illness: I knew only that it was ominous, though fortunately without blame, and therefore traveled despite my condition. I had never speculated about a fire. Only afterward, analyzing the event, did I understand that the resulting hexagram was Separation, which represents fire.
Six in the fourth place: Follow the central path; report to the duke, who will comply. It is beneficial to use this to relocate the state.
Six in the fourth place: Follow the central path; report to the duke, who will comply. It is beneficial to use this to relocate the state.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Report to the duke, who will comply,” because this fulfills the intention of Increase.
The fourth line is at the beginning of the Gentle trigram; it corresponds to the first line and is adjacent to the third. The first line says “beneficial,” so the fourth also says “beneficial.” The first says “undertake a great work,” and the fourth’s “relocate the state” is precisely such a great undertaking. The third says “follow the central path” and “report to the duke,” so the fourth likewise says “follow the central path and report to the duke.” The third and fourth both occupy the center of the inner and outer trigrams, hence both represent following the central path. “Report” refers to the third, and “duke” refers to the fourth. Since the fourth is the governing line of Increase, the third wishes to benefit those below but fears that the fourth may obstruct it, so it reports to the fourth. “The duke complies” means that the fourth follows it. The upper nuclear trigram is Keeping Still, which represents the altars of state; the lower nuclear trigram is Receptive, which represents the state and its cities. Arousing represents rushing about, and Gentle represents advancing and retreating. All these suggest relocation, hence “relocate the state.” The structure of the hexagram originally was Heaven, Earth, and Stagnation. The fifth line of Stagnation says, “Its ruin, its ruin! It is tied to a cluster of mulberry roots,” expressing anxiety over national calamity. The Commentary on the Image of Stagnation says, “Cultivate frugality and avert danger,” expressing the intention of fleeing and avoiding it. Stagnation changes into Increase, so relocation is beneficial. In the fifth year of Duke Yin of Lu, the Zuo Tradition says, “When our state moved east, upon whom did Jin and Zheng rely?” Pan Geng said, “Look at the people and determine whether relocation benefits them.” In both cases, relocation was regarded as an increase. The Commentary on the Image explains it as “fulfilling the intention of Increase,” meaning that the fourth follows and carries out the relocation; the fourth’s sole intention is to benefit those below. According to the usual correspondence, Arousing represents the east and Gentle the southeast. Since the I Ching belongs to the transition between the Yin and Zhou periods, “relocate the state” refers to the Grand Duke’s moving to Qi. Qi lay to the southwest of Yin, the direction of Receptive; this provides clear confirmation.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: There are difficulties at present; choose a good place and temporarily avoid them.
○ Asked about warfare: Withdraw the troops, move the camp, and urgently request reinforcements.
○ Asked about business: Report to the shop owner, move to another place, and open a new market there.
○ Asked about the home: Moving is advisable.
○ Asked about recognition and office: It will not succeed; one must change course and take up another occupation.
○ Asked about marriage: One must seek another matchmaker.
○ Asked about a lost object: It will not be recovered.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A friend came and asked me to divine the fortunes of a certain prominent person. The result was Increase changing to Innocence.
The judgment says: The image of the hexagram is decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower; the image of the line is moving the masses and relocating the state. This prominent person holds a position of authority and serves the country and people, precisely matching the image. Our realm is pacified throughout the seas, so there is no matter of Pan Geng moving Yin or the Grand Duke moving to Qi. Recently, however, efforts have been made to develop the land of Hokkaido and move people from the interior there. His Majesty the Emperor is considering building an imperial palace in Hokkaido as a measure for escaping the summer heat. Could this be what the line text means by “beneficial to relocate the state”? Moreover, I hear that this prominent person is actually directing the immigration proposal. “Follow the central path and report to the duke” means that this prominent person possesses the virtue of following the central path, devises a beneficial plan, presents it to the Emperor, and obtains permission to carry it out. This is a grand enterprise in the nation’s civilization and enlightenment, and it foretells that the prominent person’s fortunes will flourish.
My friend was delighted and said: The line text is precise and entirely appropriate; this is truly a divination of good fortune. I should hurry back and report it to the prominent person. He then took his leave in haste.
The Commentary on the Image says: “Report to the duke, who will comply,” because this fulfills the intention of Increase.
The fourth line is at the beginning of the Gentle trigram; it corresponds to the first line and is adjacent to the third. The first line says “beneficial,” so the fourth also says “beneficial.” The first says “undertake a great work,” and the fourth’s “relocate the state” is precisely such a great undertaking. The third says “follow the central path” and “report to the duke,” so the fourth likewise says “follow the central path and report to the duke.” The third and fourth both occupy the center of the inner and outer trigrams, hence both represent following the central path. “Report” refers to the third, and “duke” refers to the fourth. Since the fourth is the governing line of Increase, the third wishes to benefit those below but fears that the fourth may obstruct it, so it reports to the fourth. “The duke complies” means that the fourth follows it. The upper nuclear trigram is Keeping Still, which represents the altars of state; the lower nuclear trigram is Receptive, which represents the state and its cities. Arousing represents rushing about, and Gentle represents advancing and retreating. All these suggest relocation, hence “relocate the state.” The structure of the hexagram originally was Heaven, Earth, and Stagnation. The fifth line of Stagnation says, “Its ruin, its ruin! It is tied to a cluster of mulberry roots,” expressing anxiety over national calamity. The Commentary on the Image of Stagnation says, “Cultivate frugality and avert danger,” expressing the intention of fleeing and avoiding it. Stagnation changes into Increase, so relocation is beneficial. In the fifth year of Duke Yin of Lu, the Zuo Tradition says, “When our state moved east, upon whom did Jin and Zheng rely?” Pan Geng said, “Look at the people and determine whether relocation benefits them.” In both cases, relocation was regarded as an increase. The Commentary on the Image explains it as “fulfilling the intention of Increase,” meaning that the fourth follows and carries out the relocation; the fourth’s sole intention is to benefit those below. According to the usual correspondence, Arousing represents the east and Gentle the southeast. Since the I Ching belongs to the transition between the Yin and Zhou periods, “relocate the state” refers to the Grand Duke’s moving to Qi. Qi lay to the southwest of Yin, the direction of Receptive; this provides clear confirmation.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: There are difficulties at present; choose a good place and temporarily avoid them.
○ Asked about warfare: Withdraw the troops, move the camp, and urgently request reinforcements.
○ Asked about business: Report to the shop owner, move to another place, and open a new market there.
○ Asked about the home: Moving is advisable.
○ Asked about recognition and office: It will not succeed; one must change course and take up another occupation.
○ Asked about marriage: One must seek another matchmaker.
○ Asked about a lost object: It will not be recovered.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A friend came and asked me to divine the fortunes of a certain prominent person. The result was Increase changing to Innocence.
The judgment says: The image of the hexagram is decreasing the upper and benefiting the lower; the image of the line is moving the masses and relocating the state. This prominent person holds a position of authority and serves the country and people, precisely matching the image. Our realm is pacified throughout the seas, so there is no matter of Pan Geng moving Yin or the Grand Duke moving to Qi. Recently, however, efforts have been made to develop the land of Hokkaido and move people from the interior there. His Majesty the Emperor is considering building an imperial palace in Hokkaido as a measure for escaping the summer heat. Could this be what the line text means by “beneficial to relocate the state”? Moreover, I hear that this prominent person is actually directing the immigration proposal. “Follow the central path and report to the duke” means that this prominent person possesses the virtue of following the central path, devises a beneficial plan, presents it to the Emperor, and obtains permission to carry it out. This is a grand enterprise in the nation’s civilization and enlightenment, and it foretells that the prominent person’s fortunes will flourish.
My friend was delighted and said: The line text is precise and entirely appropriate; this is truly a divination of good fortune. I should hurry back and report it to the prominent person. He then took his leave in haste.
Nine in the fifth place: With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask—the supreme good. With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.
Nine in the fifth place: With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask—the supreme good. With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.
The Commentary on the Image says: “With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask”—there is no need to ask. “Benevolence benefits my virtue”—one greatly attains one’s aim.
The fifth line is firm, vigorous, centered, and correct; it occupies the proper place and stands in a position of honor, making it the governing line of Increase. The greater the benefit, the greater the increase; the more benevolence is practiced from the heart, the broader that benevolence becomes. Thus genuine benefit is practiced with a genuine heart: the heart has no limit, and benevolence likewise has no limit. Hence it says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart.” From the first line onward, touring the realm, making sacrificial announcements, providing disaster relief, and relocating the state are all acts of benefiting the people; none is anything other than a heart that benefits the people. This is the heart by which the Primordial Creative Power makes beautiful benefits benefit all under Heaven. As for increase in affairs, its auspiciousness awaits inquiry; as for benevolence in the heart, its auspiciousness needs no inquiry. Hence it says, “Do not ask—the supreme good.” When sincere benevolence is bestowed on those below, it is a heart within me; those below who receive this sincere benevolence regard it as virtue. The fifth nine receives the energy of the Receptive; the Receptive represents me, hence it says, “With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.” “Ask” means asking through divination. In ancient times, whenever a great undertaking was planned, divination was обязательно to determine good and bad fortune. If government is administered through benevolence, why harbor doubt or seek divination? “Supreme good” comes from the first line’s “supreme good, no blame.” The ruler sincerely benefits those below, and those below in turn sincerely regard the ruler’s virtue; sincerity flows between above and below, the ruler benefits the people and the ruler also receives benefit. The Commentary on the Image explains this as “greatly attaining one’s aim”: relying on this benevolent heart and carrying out benevolent government, all under Heaven receive the ruler’s virtuous beneficence and sincerely submit in their hearts. This is precisely how one can attain one’s aim and accomplish great things; hence it says, “greatly attaining one’s aim.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: “A good heart brings no bad fortune.” If one keeps benevolence in one’s heart, everything will be auspicious; there is no need to ask.
○ Asked about business: Treat righteousness as profit, deal honestly with others, and share both benefits and gains. Conducted this way, the business will bring broad benefit.
○ Asked about recognition and office: The substance will bring the name; greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about warfare: Punishment will be trusted and rewards will be fair; every battle will be won. Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about the home: This is a benevolent neighborhood and a virtuous household; without asking, one knows it is the home of good people. Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about marriage: The person will be either a relative or a friend, certainly an old acquaintance; “do not ask—the supreme good.”
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A certain friend came and said, “I wish to adopt the son of a certain family as my heir. Please divine the prospects, auspicious or inauspicious.” The result was Increase changing to Nourishment.
The judgment says: The ninth fifth line is a line of the Gorge, and the Gorge represents sincerity, the heart, beauty, and also the heir; hence the line text says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart.” Beauty means auspiciousness, and the heir suits your divination about adopting a son. The hexagram Increase means decreasing the father and benefiting the son; in terms of succession, Increase lies in diminishing the father’s share and benefiting the son. “With sincerity, a benevolent heart” means the father, with an honest heart, bestows kindness upon the son, who will surely be happy to become his son. Without asking, one knows that this is auspicious. Having received the father’s kindness, the son will certainly repay the father’s virtue, inherit his father’s enterprise, continue his father’s line, and surely prosper his family. Hence it says, “With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.” The poem’s words “To be another man’s son, to be another man’s son” need not be sung.
Example: In Meiji 28, I divined the outcome of relations between our country and Qing China. The result was Increase changing to Nourishment.
The judgment says: The inner trigram is Thunder, whose nature is movement; the outer trigram is Wind, whose nature is compliance. The inner trigram belongs to our country and the outer trigram to Qing, so the movements and stillness of the two countries can be seen. The hexagram is called Increase, so the two countries will certainly benefit one another. The line is at the ninth fifth place and corresponds to the sixth second; the second is inner and the fifth outer, so the second should represent our country and the fifth Qing. The second line says, “Someone benefits it with ten pairs of tortoise shells; it cannot refuse; enduring correctness is auspicious.” In our country, the benefit of ten pairs refers to Qing’s indemnity payment. “Enduring correctness is auspicious” means that the auspiciousness is not limited to the moment. The fifth line says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask—the supreme good. With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue,” meaning that after Qing and our country negotiate peace, one need not ask to know that the outcome will be supremely auspicious. The European countries stare greedily like tigers, seeking only to diminish Qing and enrich themselves—some invade its territory, others seize its profits. Qing stubbornly clings to its old policies and does not know how to change course; the extent of what foreign countries have stripped from it is beyond counting. Since our country and Qing share a border, we should consider sharing benefits and receiving gains together, so that we may jointly safeguard the countries of the Eastern Sea. The Commentary on the Image says, “Greatly attaining one’s aim,” meaning that we must not be despised by the European countries.
The Commentary on the Image says: “With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask”—there is no need to ask. “Benevolence benefits my virtue”—one greatly attains one’s aim.
The fifth line is firm, vigorous, centered, and correct; it occupies the proper place and stands in a position of honor, making it the governing line of Increase. The greater the benefit, the greater the increase; the more benevolence is practiced from the heart, the broader that benevolence becomes. Thus genuine benefit is practiced with a genuine heart: the heart has no limit, and benevolence likewise has no limit. Hence it says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart.” From the first line onward, touring the realm, making sacrificial announcements, providing disaster relief, and relocating the state are all acts of benefiting the people; none is anything other than a heart that benefits the people. This is the heart by which the Primordial Creative Power makes beautiful benefits benefit all under Heaven. As for increase in affairs, its auspiciousness awaits inquiry; as for benevolence in the heart, its auspiciousness needs no inquiry. Hence it says, “Do not ask—the supreme good.” When sincere benevolence is bestowed on those below, it is a heart within me; those below who receive this sincere benevolence regard it as virtue. The fifth nine receives the energy of the Receptive; the Receptive represents me, hence it says, “With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.” “Ask” means asking through divination. In ancient times, whenever a great undertaking was planned, divination was обязательно to determine good and bad fortune. If government is administered through benevolence, why harbor doubt or seek divination? “Supreme good” comes from the first line’s “supreme good, no blame.” The ruler sincerely benefits those below, and those below in turn sincerely regard the ruler’s virtue; sincerity flows between above and below, the ruler benefits the people and the ruler also receives benefit. The Commentary on the Image explains this as “greatly attaining one’s aim”: relying on this benevolent heart and carrying out benevolent government, all under Heaven receive the ruler’s virtuous beneficence and sincerely submit in their hearts. This is precisely how one can attain one’s aim and accomplish great things; hence it says, “greatly attaining one’s aim.”
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: “A good heart brings no bad fortune.” If one keeps benevolence in one’s heart, everything will be auspicious; there is no need to ask.
○ Asked about business: Treat righteousness as profit, deal honestly with others, and share both benefits and gains. Conducted this way, the business will bring broad benefit.
○ Asked about recognition and office: The substance will bring the name; greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about warfare: Punishment will be trusted and rewards will be fair; every battle will be won. Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about the home: This is a benevolent neighborhood and a virtuous household; without asking, one knows it is the home of good people. Greatly auspicious.
○ Asked about marriage: The person will be either a relative or a friend, certainly an old acquaintance; “do not ask—the supreme good.”
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A certain friend came and said, “I wish to adopt the son of a certain family as my heir. Please divine the prospects, auspicious or inauspicious.” The result was Increase changing to Nourishment.
The judgment says: The ninth fifth line is a line of the Gorge, and the Gorge represents sincerity, the heart, beauty, and also the heir; hence the line text says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart.” Beauty means auspiciousness, and the heir suits your divination about adopting a son. The hexagram Increase means decreasing the father and benefiting the son; in terms of succession, Increase lies in diminishing the father’s share and benefiting the son. “With sincerity, a benevolent heart” means the father, with an honest heart, bestows kindness upon the son, who will surely be happy to become his son. Without asking, one knows that this is auspicious. Having received the father’s kindness, the son will certainly repay the father’s virtue, inherit his father’s enterprise, continue his father’s line, and surely prosper his family. Hence it says, “With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue.” The poem’s words “To be another man’s son, to be another man’s son” need not be sung.
Example: In Meiji 28, I divined the outcome of relations between our country and Qing China. The result was Increase changing to Nourishment.
The judgment says: The inner trigram is Thunder, whose nature is movement; the outer trigram is Wind, whose nature is compliance. The inner trigram belongs to our country and the outer trigram to Qing, so the movements and stillness of the two countries can be seen. The hexagram is called Increase, so the two countries will certainly benefit one another. The line is at the ninth fifth place and corresponds to the sixth second; the second is inner and the fifth outer, so the second should represent our country and the fifth Qing. The second line says, “Someone benefits it with ten pairs of tortoise shells; it cannot refuse; enduring correctness is auspicious.” In our country, the benefit of ten pairs refers to Qing’s indemnity payment. “Enduring correctness is auspicious” means that the auspiciousness is not limited to the moment. The fifth line says, “With sincerity, a benevolent heart; do not ask—the supreme good. With sincerity, benevolence benefits my virtue,” meaning that after Qing and our country negotiate peace, one need not ask to know that the outcome will be supremely auspicious. The European countries stare greedily like tigers, seeking only to diminish Qing and enrich themselves—some invade its territory, others seize its profits. Qing stubbornly clings to its old policies and does not know how to change course; the extent of what foreign countries have stripped from it is beyond counting. Since our country and Qing share a border, we should consider sharing benefits and receiving gains together, so that we may jointly safeguard the countries of the Eastern Sea. The Commentary on the Image says, “Greatly attaining one’s aim,” meaning that we must not be despised by the European countries.
Nine at the top: No one benefits him; someone may strike him. Establishing a mind without constancy is inauspicious.
Nine at the top: No one benefits him; someone may strike him. Establishing a mind without constancy is inauspicious.
The Commentary on the Image says: “No one benefits him” is a one-sided statement. “Someone may strike him” means it comes from outside.
The top nine is firm and yang, at the extreme of the outer trigram; it is one who seeks benefit to an excessive degree. Excess leads to change, and once it changes, it is no longer benefiting but striking. The sages observed the images and established the hexagram, defining Increase as “diminishing the upper and benefiting the lower.” Its original intention is partial toward enriching those below. By the top nine, the benefit given from above to below has already become excessive, and it turns to demand that the lower benefit the upper. It does not merely say, “No one benefits him”; it even says, “Someone may strike him.” “Someone” indicates many people, though their action is not yet determined. The moving upper body becomes a Massing; “Massing its fat” is what “no one benefits him” means. The reversed hexagram is Decrease; its upper trigram is Keeping Still, which represents a hand, hence “strike.” The Gentle trigram represents advancing and retreating and lack of decisiveness; this is the absence of constancy. When the upper line moves, it becomes the Gorge; the Gorge represents the heart. The heart originally intended to benefit the lower changes into a heart that benefits the upper; this is also lack of constancy. The reciprocal hexagram is Duration, whose top line says, “Agitating constancy is inauspicious.” Agitating constancy causes failure just before completion; without constancy, nothing can be sustained, so both are inauspicious. The Commentary on the Image’s “one-sided statement” means that the heart is biased and unfair. “Comes from outside” means that the blow comes unexpectedly from beyond.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: Good fortune has already receded. Greed has become excessive; beware of unexpected disaster.
○ Asked about warfare: There is no need to wait for more troops or supplies; an attack can be launched.
○ Asked about business: Seeking only one’s own profit—the attitude of never being satisfied unless one takes from others—will certainly provoke a dispute. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about recognition and office: If one takes another person’s achievement as one’s own fame, that fame will not last. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about the home: This residence is too elevated in position; it brings harm rather than benefit and cannot be occupied for long.
○ Asked about marriage: There is fear that the couple will not grow old together.
○ Asked about litigation: The lawsuit has no constancy; the outcome will turn from bad to good.
○ Asked about a traveler: Beware of robbery or theft occurring along the way. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about a lost object: It may already have been smashed; it cannot be recovered.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A certain friend came and asked for a divination about his fortunes. The result was Increase changing to Massing.
The judgment says: The hexagram is called Increase and originally has the image of great gain. Now the top line has been obtained; the top line is at the extreme of Increase, and when a thing reaches its extreme it changes. I fear that not only will there be no benefit, but there will also be danger of damage. The line text says, “No one benefits him”—there is no benefit; it says, “Someone may strike him”—he will be injured; it says, “Establishing a mind without constancy”—people’s hearts are unpredictable, turning their hands from rain to cloud, so beware of an unexpected change; it ends with “inauspicious,” plainly stating that the divination is unfavorable. Since the line’s image is so, you should take warning.
My friend was deeply worried after hearing this. Later, according to what I learned, the friend went one day to a certain household and asked to borrow one thousand gold pieces. That household happened not to have much money stored and lent him only five hundred dollars, which he carried away. On the way, he passed the home of another friend and explained the situation, saying, “I need about one thousand dollars for business today. I just went to so-and-so and borrowed half of it; I now want to borrow the rest from you to make up the amount.” That friend politely refused, saying that he had little money left in his purse. Unknown to him, this friend had recently fallen into poverty. Knowing that he was carrying a large sum, the friend suddenly formed an evil intention, waited along his route home, attacked him when the opportunity arose, and took the money. The first lender lost his money and was also seriously injured. Later, when this friend was arrested, it became clear that the robber was the very friend who had requested the loan. This made me feel even more strongly that the principles of the I Ching had shown the omen in advance.
Example: In a certain month of Meiji 26, at the request of my relative and friend Amemiya Keijiro, I divined the eventual outcome of the rise and fall of silver prices. The result was Increase changing to Massing.
The judgment says: The lower trigram of this hexagram is Zhen, which represents dark yellow; the upper trigram is Xun, which represents white. White signifies silver, and yellow signifies gold. The hexagram image has Xun above and Zhen below, signifying silver rising while gold falls; thus it can be known that silver production exceeds gold in quantity. The line text says: “No one benefits him; someone may strike him. Establishing the mind without constancy is ominous.” “No one benefits him” means that the price will not rise again; “someone may strike him” means that the price will certainly decline—“someone” indicates what is about to happen; “without constancy” means that current market prices are unsettled. When the top line changes, the hexagram becomes Zhun; Zhun means difficulty. As silver commodities fall, the entire market will suffer hardship. One must wait until Yi changes into Guai. Guai means decision: its defects will be decisively removed, allowing the current price of silver goods to return to its former level. If transactions are conducted solely with paper currency, however, it may not be possible to continue permanently.
The Commentary on the Image says: “No one benefits him” is a one-sided statement. “Someone may strike him” means it comes from outside.
The top nine is firm and yang, at the extreme of the outer trigram; it is one who seeks benefit to an excessive degree. Excess leads to change, and once it changes, it is no longer benefiting but striking. The sages observed the images and established the hexagram, defining Increase as “diminishing the upper and benefiting the lower.” Its original intention is partial toward enriching those below. By the top nine, the benefit given from above to below has already become excessive, and it turns to demand that the lower benefit the upper. It does not merely say, “No one benefits him”; it even says, “Someone may strike him.” “Someone” indicates many people, though their action is not yet determined. The moving upper body becomes a Massing; “Massing its fat” is what “no one benefits him” means. The reversed hexagram is Decrease; its upper trigram is Keeping Still, which represents a hand, hence “strike.” The Gentle trigram represents advancing and retreating and lack of decisiveness; this is the absence of constancy. When the upper line moves, it becomes the Gorge; the Gorge represents the heart. The heart originally intended to benefit the lower changes into a heart that benefits the upper; this is also lack of constancy. The reciprocal hexagram is Duration, whose top line says, “Agitating constancy is inauspicious.” Agitating constancy causes failure just before completion; without constancy, nothing can be sustained, so both are inauspicious. The Commentary on the Image’s “one-sided statement” means that the heart is biased and unfair. “Comes from outside” means that the blow comes unexpectedly from beyond.
[Divination]
○ Asked about current fortunes: Good fortune has already receded. Greed has become excessive; beware of unexpected disaster.
○ Asked about warfare: There is no need to wait for more troops or supplies; an attack can be launched.
○ Asked about business: Seeking only one’s own profit—the attitude of never being satisfied unless one takes from others—will certainly provoke a dispute. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about recognition and office: If one takes another person’s achievement as one’s own fame, that fame will not last. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about the home: This residence is too elevated in position; it brings harm rather than benefit and cannot be occupied for long.
○ Asked about marriage: There is fear that the couple will not grow old together.
○ Asked about litigation: The lawsuit has no constancy; the outcome will turn from bad to good.
○ Asked about a traveler: Beware of robbery or theft occurring along the way. Inauspicious.
○ Asked about a lost object: It may already have been smashed; it cannot be recovered.
○ Question about pregnancy: A girl will be born.
Example: A certain friend came and asked for a divination about his fortunes. The result was Increase changing to Massing.
The judgment says: The hexagram is called Increase and originally has the image of great gain. Now the top line has been obtained; the top line is at the extreme of Increase, and when a thing reaches its extreme it changes. I fear that not only will there be no benefit, but there will also be danger of damage. The line text says, “No one benefits him”—there is no benefit; it says, “Someone may strike him”—he will be injured; it says, “Establishing a mind without constancy”—people’s hearts are unpredictable, turning their hands from rain to cloud, so beware of an unexpected change; it ends with “inauspicious,” plainly stating that the divination is unfavorable. Since the line’s image is so, you should take warning.
My friend was deeply worried after hearing this. Later, according to what I learned, the friend went one day to a certain household and asked to borrow one thousand gold pieces. That household happened not to have much money stored and lent him only five hundred dollars, which he carried away. On the way, he passed the home of another friend and explained the situation, saying, “I need about one thousand dollars for business today. I just went to so-and-so and borrowed half of it; I now want to borrow the rest from you to make up the amount.” That friend politely refused, saying that he had little money left in his purse. Unknown to him, this friend had recently fallen into poverty. Knowing that he was carrying a large sum, the friend suddenly formed an evil intention, waited along his route home, attacked him when the opportunity arose, and took the money. The first lender lost his money and was also seriously injured. Later, when this friend was arrested, it became clear that the robber was the very friend who had requested the loan. This made me feel even more strongly that the principles of the I Ching had shown the omen in advance.
Example: In a certain month of Meiji 26, at the request of my relative and friend Amemiya Keijiro, I divined the eventual outcome of the rise and fall of silver prices. The result was Increase changing to Massing.
The judgment says: The lower trigram of this hexagram is Zhen, which represents dark yellow; the upper trigram is Xun, which represents white. White signifies silver, and yellow signifies gold. The hexagram image has Xun above and Zhen below, signifying silver rising while gold falls; thus it can be known that silver production exceeds gold in quantity. The line text says: “No one benefits him; someone may strike him. Establishing the mind without constancy is ominous.” “No one benefits him” means that the price will not rise again; “someone may strike him” means that the price will certainly decline—“someone” indicates what is about to happen; “without constancy” means that current market prices are unsettled. When the top line changes, the hexagram becomes Zhun; Zhun means difficulty. As silver commodities fall, the entire market will suffer hardship. One must wait until Yi changes into Guai. Guai means decision: its defects will be decisively removed, allowing the current price of silver goods to return to its former level. If transactions are conducted solely with paper currency, however, it may not be possible to continue permanently.