That’s why I loved the quote attributed to Hirohito at the Imperial Conference, when the hotheaded generals are still foaming at the mouth about continuing the war.
“Some advocate a decisive battle in the homeland as the way to survival. In past experience, however, there has always been a discrepancy between the fighting services’ plans and the results.”
For the military men in the room, that had to leave a mark. I’m surprised they didn’t all go do the “belly-cut” after hearing that.
Not just “sometimes” or “often” or “usually,” but “always.” I suspect we both appreciate a simple, aptly turned phrase loaded with meaning. It’s a sharp, sharp blade, samurai-sword sharp. In a sense, he belly-cut them by proxy.
Me too.