“為（な）せば成る、為さねば成らぬ何事も、成らぬは人の為さぬなりけり”: If you try, you can do anything.  If you don’t try, nothing can be done.  If something isn’t done, it’s because you didn’t try.  

    Have you ever heard this saying?  It comes from Uesugi Yozan, the 9th lord of the Yonezawa Clan during the Edo period.  He teaches us that it is very important to take action with a strong heart.  He worked very hard to make the poor Yonezawa Clan rich and peaceful.  He died about 200 years ago, but he is still loved and called “Yozan-ko” with respect by people in Yonezawa.