--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Give me a Japanese division armed with…" description: "\"Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and I'll wipe out the entire Russian Far Eastern Army.\" — Sadao Araki" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg" --- # Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and… ![“Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and I'll wipe out the entire Russian Far Eastern Army.” quote by Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg) > “Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and I'll wipe out the entire Russian Far Eastern Army.” [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests using unconventional weapons to defeat a larger force. **In simple terms:** Use surprise tactics against stronger enemies. Key Takeaway Leverage ingenuity in conflict. Themes strategy innovation warfare Mood reflective critical Type historical military When to use this quote - military planning - defense training - historical analysis Key Concepts asymmetric warfare resourcefulness psychological tactics Questions to Reflect On - Is ethical sacrifice justified in war? - What are the long‑term consequences? A Different Perspective Such tactics may cause excessive collateral damage. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Bamboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bamboo/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Japanese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/japanese/) ## Related quotes > [This war is not an ordinary war. It is the war of the entire Russian people. Not only to eliminate the danger hanging over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/this-war-is-not-an-ordinary-war-it-is-the-war-of-the-entire-russian/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [In far Eastern Russia, there's just some towns that time has forgotten. I guess they used to maybe be industrial or something that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ewan-mcgregor/in-far-eastern-russia-there-s-just-some-towns-that-time-has-forgotten/) [Ewan McGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ewan-mcgregor/) > [From the Far Eastern perspective, 29 is considered a very special age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/from-the-far-eastern-perspective-29-is-considered-a-very-special-age/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Our intention is to develop music, theatre and exhibition activities on the Far Eastern regions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/our-intention-is-to-develop-music-theatre-and-exhibition-activities/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [So far, the Far Eastern focal point of danger is the most active.It is possible, however, that the center of the menace may shift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stalin/so-far-the-far-eastern-focal-point-of-danger-is-the-most-active-it-is/) [Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stalin/) > [If we have a thousand bamboo spears, there's nothing to worry about a war with the Soviet Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/if-we-have-a-thousand-bamboo-spears-there-s-nothing-to-worry-about-a/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [“With each new course, he offers up little bites of the ethos that drives his cooking, the tastes and the words playing off each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-goulding/with-each-new-course-he-offers-up-little-bites-of-the-ethos-that/) [Matt Goulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-goulding/) > [“We talked about how terrible the natural world could be. Of course, the bamboo is only doing what it must. Everything obeys it's own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/we-talked-about-how-terrible-the-natural-world-could-be-of-course-the/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [Bamboo is not a weed, it's a flowering plant. Bamboo is a magnificent plant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/bamboo-is-not-a-weed-it-s-a-flowering-plant-bamboo-is-a-magnificent/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/notice-that-the-stiffest-tree-is-most-easily-cracked-while-the-bamboo/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [There is one thing sure about life: Life will push us hardly many times! When you are pushed, don't be surprised; stay firm like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/there-is-one-thing-sure-about-life-life-will-push-us-hardly-many/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [You can learn from an ordinary bamboo leaf what ought to happen. It bends lower and lower under the weight of snow. Suddenly the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugen-herrigel/you-can-learn-from-an-ordinary-bamboo-leaf-what-ought-to-happen-it/) [Eugen Herrigel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugen-herrigel/) > [Go to the pine if you want to learn about the pine, or to the bamboo if you want to learn about the bamboo.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matsuo-basho/go-to-the-pine-if-you-want-to-learn-about-the-pine-or-to-the-bamboo/) [Matsuo Basho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matsuo-basho/) > [Memory that yearns to join the centre, a limb remembering the body from which it has been severed, like those bamboo thighs of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/memory-that-yearns-to-join-the-centre-a-limb-remembering-the-body/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [Just hopped off the plane came back from Vancouv Little white tee sum boobs & bamboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/just-hopped-off-the-plane-came-back-from-vancouv-little-white-tee-sum/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) ## More by Sadao Araki > [It is now time for our nation to frustrate the wild dreams of the whites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/it-is-now-time-for-our-nation-to-frustrate-the-wild-dreams-of-the/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [In order to have enough of the raw materials...which will be lacking in wartime, we should plan to acquire and use foreign resources existing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/in-order-to-have-enough-of-the-raw-materials-which-will-be-lacking-in/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [What sort of government is it that permits so many children to go to school hungry, without even a morsel of food in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/what-sort-of-government-is-it-that-permits-so-many-children-to-go-to/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [The foundations of our Empire are now based more firmly than ever! The birth of a Crown Prince shows that the prosperity of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/the-foundations-of-our-empire-are-now-based-more-firmly-than-ever-the/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [A war minister is able to force the adoption of any measure desired by the Camp or to block any measure that meets his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/a-war-minister-is-able-to-force-the-adoption-of-any-measure-desired/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [In appointing our Ambassador to the United States at this important time, with the 1936 crisis ahead, such considerations as dignity, past career, equity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/in-appointing-our-ambassador-to-the-united-states-at-this-important/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [I ask you to remember that the Japanese troops are a strictly disciplined force and perform their duties with as little harmfulness as possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/i-ask-you-to-remember-that-the-japanese-troops-are-a-strictly/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [Frivolous thinking is due to foreign thought. Japan must no longer let the impudence of the white peoples go unpunished. It is the duty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/frivolous-thinking-is-due-to-foreign-thought-japan-must-no-longer-let/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [Now the opportunity to destroy the USSR has arrived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/now-the-opportunity-to-destroy-the-ussr-has-arrived/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [Let the League of Nations say whatever it pleases, let America offer whatever interference, let China decry Japan's action at the top of her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/let-the-league-of-nations-say-whatever-it-pleases-let-america-offer/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [We have no hesitation in declaring that we are a military nation- in the cause of Kodo and the highest morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/we-have-no-hesitation-in-declaring-that-we-are-a-military-nation-in/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [The spirit of the Japanese nation is, by its nature, a thing that must be propagated over the seven seas and extended over the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/the-spirit-of-the-japanese-nation-is-by-its-nature-a-thing-that-must/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [Unless you remove the weeds, a good crop will be ruined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/unless-you-remove-the-weeds-a-good-crop-will-be-ruined/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [According to our belief, Japan was founded by the Sun Goddess Amaterasu Omikami, who is revered by the entire nation for her all-pervading virtue,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/according-to-our-belief-japan-was-founded-by-the-sun-goddess/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) > [If we have a thousand bamboo spears, there's nothing to worry about a war with the Soviet Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/if-we-have-a-thousand-bamboo-spears-there-s-nothing-to-worry-about-a/) [Sadao Araki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) [Explore all 17 Sadao Araki quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/) ## More Army quotes > [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/) [Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/) > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/) [Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/) > [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/) [James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/) > [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/) [James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/) > [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/) [Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/) [William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/) > [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. It's pretty much what I feel like wearing that day, from a floral-print dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/personally-i-don-t-really-have-a-set-style-or-look-it-s-pretty-much/) [Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/) > [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/) [Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/) > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/) [Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/) [Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and I'll wipe out the entire Russian Far Eastern Army.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sadao Araki" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-bamboo-spears-and-i-ll-wipe/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Army" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-bamboo-spears-and-i-ll-wipe/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/140/sadao-araki-30530_army_give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-b_1800871.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Give me a Japanese division armed with bamboo spears and I'll wipe out the entire Russian Far Eastern Army.” — Sadao Araki", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sadao Araki", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadao-araki/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Give me a Japanese division armed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-bamboo-spears-and-i-ll-wipe/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadao-araki/give-me-a-japanese-division-armed-with-bamboo-spears-and-i-ll-wipe/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```