Catching the Wind

If the sea conditions don't change, we'll face a headwind on the way back.
On this day, the Swan 58 "Qualia Riviera" was in good condition as it departed from "Riviera Zushi Marina". The dry midwinter tailwind caught the sails and made it glide smoothly across the water. This Swan yacht was purchased on the recommendation of yachtsman Leonardo Ferragamo, the current chairman of Italy's leading luxury brand "Ferragamo" and owner of Swan.
I started sailing when I was 70 years old. Even now, I go out to Sagami Bay with my crew members, selected from among my employees, several times a month to train and develop them. On this day, the atmospheric pressure was in a winter pattern, and the weather was deteriorating. Mount Fuji was completely hidden by rain clouds.
When we tacked under close-haul sailing, my prediction came true. As soon as we caught the strong wind blowing from Zushi Bay, the boat started to heel over, so I held on tightly to avoid losing control. However, even in that strong wind, the Swan was able to sail with great stability.
Unfortunately, the rain turned into sleet mixed with snow, and even though I was wearing a down jacket, it was still cold to the bone. I should have handed the helm over to the crew and taken refuge in the cabin, but that day I really wanted to face the wind, so I began my struggle with Mother Nature for a while. By the time we got back to the marina, my whole body was soaked. I lost feeling in the tips of my fingers and toes, and after disembarking, I unexpectedly caught a cold and was in bed for two days. But even now, when I think back on it, it was the most exciting time.
I have had the tendency to "grab the wind" ever since I was young. I have the urge to grab something that I instantly think is "the one." On the other hand, there is a risk that I may "suffer a painful experience," but I have also used those failures as a source of growth.
People say "you learn from success," but I'm the exact opposite. I have never learned anything from success. When I jumped into the world of real estate, not knowing what to do, I suffered many painful experiences. However, each time I learned something new and got back on my feet, and I am now able to do business not only in Japan but also around the world.
"Even if I've been deceived, I will never deceive others" is my belief. As I faced people honestly, no one deceived me. It all depends on "luck" how I seize the opportunity at any given time, but I am truly grateful that I am who I am today thanks to the good connections I have made with others.
Leaders of an organization are required to have the decisive power to put a stop to things when they are truly in danger. To do this, they need the ability to read the situation at any given time and discern the boundaries between success and failure. Of course, it would be easy to just go out to sea on a clear, calm day, but life is not always fun just because it is safe and secure. Sailing that day was a valuable experience in helping me understand my current situation.
I would like to take my crew to compete in the Rolex Swan Cup, a world yacht competition to be held in Sardinia, Italy, in the near future. Dreams never end.
Even so, that day was one I will never forget. Later, at the urging of my teacher, calligrapher Nagamori Sokyu, I filled my brush with ink and wrote "Wind" in one go. January 2024, 5. Thinking of sailing that day, I took up my brush with a bang. My teacher praised me, saying, "These characters are wild and dynamic." It is now on display in my villa in my hometown of Kawaguchiko. There is something special about the "wind" that I have grasped myself.