Datei:Gosei1.jpg

1=The "Five Reflections" (Go-sei "five truths" in Japanese), was promulgated in 1932 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of Emperor Meiji's Imperial Prescript to the Soldiers and Sailors. They were the words of Rear Admiral Hajime Matsushita, who was then the superintendent of the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima.

• Hast thou not gone against sincerity? or Have I compromised my sincerity? (Hitotsu, shisei ni motoru, nakarishika)
• Hast thou not felt ashamed of thy words and deeds? or Have I spoken or acted shamefully? (Hitotsu, genkou ni hazuru, nakarishika)
• Hast thou not lacked vigor? or Have I been lacking in spiritual vigor? (Hitotsu, kiryoku ni kakuru, nakarishika)
• Hast thou exerted all possible efforts? or Must I regret the level of my effort? (Hitotsu, doryoku ni urami, nakarishika)
• Hast thou not become slothful? or Have I lapsed into laziness? (Hitotsu, bushou ni wataru, nakarishika)

Explanation: Each of the self-checking questions begins with the word "One" (Hitostu). Instead of listed elements &ndsash; one, two, three, etc. – none of the Gosei are subordinated to another. In other words, all of the precepts are significant and equal in value. None are subordinated to another. Each of the introspective enquiries ends with an archaic or classical Japanese phrase meaning "hast thou not?" or "have I not?" (nakarishika).

See reference sources: (a) Robinson, Paul, Nigel De Lee and Don Carrick. (2008). Ethics Education in the Military. Aldershot, England; Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate Publishing. 13-ISBN 978-0-754-67114-5, 10-ISBN 0-754-67114-3; 12-978-0-75467115-2, 10-ISBN 0-754-671151; OCLC 170203920; (b) Yale University Kendo, 2007