Cruel murderer, egoism, and civilization

Humans deprive other creatures of their inochi in order to live. Humans defend themselves against other creatures so as not to have their inochi attacked….I wish we could live in mutual respect with other creatures. I have to apologize to you, fish-san, cow-san, pig-san, and bird-san (33), for eating you because of our human egoism. I like meat and fish very much too. We must look like cruel murderers from their point of view….In conclusion, we treasure our own inochi, and our civilizations and cultures develop by an egoism of this kind. (30-39/female/nursery school teacher/—)

Inochi and death are two sides of the same coin….All inochi beings must die. Why? I live now, I have inochi at present because there is death….I think inochi suggests waiting for one’s death naturally, and living naturally. (20-29/female/nurse/no religion)

It is hard to express, but I feel inochi is nearly equal to one’s whole life (not completely equal). The end of inochi means the end of my life. (10-19/female/student nurse/—)

War. The Republic of South Africa. I don’t understand much. I seldom think about it (34). (10-19/male/junior high school student/—)

I understand that all plants, trees, fish, and the green earth have inochi. An object has inochi even if it is a non-living thing. For example, when I make a doll in cloth, inochi begins to exist in it, I think, at the time of the completion of its [93/94] human figure….I have experienced miscarriages twice in the last two years….I grew up in a Christian environment, but I am not a Christian. However, I feel that the souls (inochis) (35) of my children are in Heaven. (30-39/female/housewife/—)

My image of inochi is: a red ball just hovering in white space. I feel that it is something very important. (10-19/female/college student/—)

>> To read more please visit:

The Concept of Inochi (life) (1991)
(You can read the entire text)