YiMatrix · Academy Journal
Father Vanishes After Leaving All His Property Behind, Divination Leads to His Discovery: Seven True Stories from Interpreting the Hexagram 'Jie' in the Book of Changes
Seven people in different predicaments asked about the same hexagram—how to 'resolve' it? The answer points in the same direction: difficulties won't trap you forever, but you must
Seven people in different predicaments asked about the same hexagram—how to "resolve" it? The answer points in the same direction: difficulties won't trap you forever, but you must take action.
In Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, someone wrote a letter.
The letter said: My neighbor's only son recently fell gravely ill, his life hanging by a thread. The neighbor went to Haruna Shrine to pray, and within a few days, the son miraculously recovered. Overjoyed, the neighbor took his son to the shrine to give thanks and fulfill his vow.
After returning, everything seemed to return to normal.
However, one day, the neighbor suddenly handed over all his money and property to his son, saying, "If I stay here, I fear I might be killed."—then he turned and left.
The son chased after him but found no trace.
The whole family was grief-stricken, searching everywhere without any news. The letter writer pleaded at the end: Please, Mr. Takashima, divine a hexagram to see whether the neighbor is alive or dead, and where exactly he has gone.
Takashima happened to be ill at the time, so he had a disciple perform the divination. The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the fourth line changing, transforming into the Shi hexagram.
After examining the hexagram, the disciple gave his judgment: "The neighbor did not go into the mountains, nor did he drown himself. He is at a friend's house in the east."
The letter writer was skeptical—how could someone who claimed to "fear being killed," left all his property behind, and suddenly vanished, simply be at a friend's house?
But the disciple's reasoning was clear:
The commentary on Jie says, "Danger leads to action, and through action, danger is avoided"—the neighbor fled out of fear of being killed, which is precisely "acting because of danger"; having successfully escaped, he "avoided danger through action." The fourth line's text reads, "Untying the big toe, friends arrive with sincerity"—"big toe" refers to the foot's thumb, and father and son are one body, with the son below like the toe. Leaving after giving all property to the son is exactly the image of "untying the toe." "Friends arrive with sincerity" clearly indicates he is with a friend, finding peace after receiving a friend's word.
Later, the letter writer confirmed in a reply—the neighbor's whereabouts matched the hexagram's interpretation exactly.
This story comes from the Jie hexagram chapter in "Takashima's Judgments of the Yi."
First, What Is the Jie Hexagram?
The Jie hexagram looks like this: below is the Kan trigram (water, danger), above is the Zhen trigram (thunder, action). Danger is within, action is without—when encountering danger, one must act; only through action can danger be avoided.
Jie follows the Jian hexagram. Jian represents hardship and being stuck. The "Sequence of Hexagrams" says, "Things cannot remain in difficulty forever, hence Jie follows."—when things reach an extreme of being trapped, that is the beginning of resolution.
The core spirit of Jie is condensed in one sentence from the "Great Image" commentary:
The noble person pardons faults and forgives offenses.
Thunder and rain pour down, sweeping away the stifling air between heaven and earth. Spring thunder sounds, ice and snow melt, and those confined see the light of day again. Thus, the noble person emulates this spirit—pardoning faults, forgiving offenders.
Simply put, the Jie hexagram is about two things: extrication and forgiveness.
Extrication is for oneself—you cannot sit and wait for death; you must take action. Forgiveness is for others—once difficulties pass, don't cling to old accounts.
The seven stories below are seven different kinds of "resolution."
First Six: The Zheng Yongning Case: Heaven Opens Its Mouth to Prove Your Innocence
In Meiji 24 (1891), a sensational case in Japan—Zheng Yongning was accused of secretly corresponding with the embassy of an Eastern power. Public opinion boiled over, with truth and falsehood indistinguishable.
Yoshinari, head of the paper division, wrote to Takashima, asking him to divine a hexagram to judge the truth of the matter.
The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the first line changing, transforming into the Guimei hexagram.
After examining the hexagram, Takashima said decisively:
"The first line's text has only two characters: 'no blame.' Among the 384 lines in the Book of Changes, this is the only one with just 'no blame.' This is heaven opening its mouth to prove Zheng Yongning's innocence."
"Jie means release from blame. The first line is yin, corresponding to Zheng Yongning; the fourth line is yang, corresponding to the foreign envoy. One yin and one yang respond, indicating the two indeed had a relationship, but this relationship is harmless to national righteousness."
"The 'Great Image' says 'the noble person pardons faults and forgives offenses'—in future trials, he will surely be pardoned based on circumstances, not deeply pursued over a few texts of unclear origin."
The later outcome matched Takashima's judgment.
Honestly, this story reminds me of something: When public opinion surges, everyone rushes to take sides and assign blame. But the first line of Jie says only two words—'no blame.' Not rushing to overturn the case, not rushing to proclaim innocence, just calmly saying: He is not at fault.
Sometimes, the most powerful defense isn't a long argument; two words are enough.
Second Nine: Takashima's Nasal Polyp Surgery: A Minimally Invasive Procedure 130 Years Ago
In Meiji 25 (1892), Takashima developed a condition called "nasal polyp"—growths in the nasal cavity, making breathing difficult and speech laborious, causing considerable distress.
He heard of a doctor named Kanasugi, who studied in Germany, specialized in otolaryngology, and had just returned to Japan to open a clinic. Takashima wanted treatment but hesitated—after all, it involved cutting inside the nose—so he first divined a hexagram.
The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the second line changing, transforming into the Yu hexagram—Yu means preparation, with the image of "preemptive treatment."
Takashima interpreted it himself: "The lower trigram Kan is water danger, the upper trigram Zhen is thunder action—'acting to avoid danger' means not sitting idly by; treatment should be sought promptly. 'Field' is hunting, 'fox' is a monster; the polyps in the nose are 'monsters' in the body. 'Three' indicates more than one. 'Yellow arrow' is the arrow to shoot the monster—probably the doctor's surgical instruments. The whole line means: Using precise tools to remove these 'monsters' one by one brings good fortune."
So Takashima went to Dr. Kanasugi. Upon examination, Kanasugi said it was easy to treat. First, anesthesia was applied, then—note—an electrified copper wire was looped around each polyp, severing them one by one.
There was more than one polyp; all were removed. The suffering was immediately relieved.
Takashima later marveled: "The wonder of medical skill is truly astonishing. And the Yi's prior indication matched the surgical situation exactly—'three foxes' meaning multiple polyps, 'yellow arrow' meaning the copper wire electrocautery—even more astounding."
What's interesting about this story is: Over 130 years ago, there was already an 'electrocautery excision' method akin to modern minimally invasive surgery. And when divining, Takashima interpreted "hunting three foxes, obtaining a yellow arrow" as "multiple polyps, precise instruments." You could call it coincidence, but it's remarkably precise.
Second Nine: Yokosuka Engineering Project: Three Foxes and an Upright Arrow
The same line position, with a different person and situation, can yield completely different layers of meaning. This is the essence of Takashima's hexagram interpretation—the same key, different locks.
In Yokosuka, Sagami Province, construction was underway on batteries and a large shipyard, requiring annual stone filling into the sea for embankments. This massive project was originally contracted exclusively to the Okura group—they built their own stone transport ships, hired small steamships for towing, monopolizing the profits.
The authorities felt sole control risked issues, so they wanted Takashima Kahei to share part of the project. The Okura group was unhappy, secretly instructing boatmen to create difficulties and deliberately raise rental fees. Both sides lost seven to eight hundred yen daily, draining each other, with neither yielding.
Takashima was invited to divine a hexagram. The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the second line changing, again transforming into Yu.
His analysis was brilliant:
"The second and fifth lines are the two main parties in this dispute—the second line in the inner trigram represents the Takashima side; the fifth line in the outer trigram represents the Okura side. The second line is hindered by the fourth, causing mutual friction. The line says 'three foxes'—the other side has three people secretly causing trouble, cunning as foxes. 'Yellow arrow'—our side has one person, upright and handling affairs. With one upright arrow against three cunning foxes, the foxes will eventually retreat."
"Looking at the fourth line: 'friends arrive with sincerity'—a mediating friend will appear, allowing both sides to calm down and reconcile. The fifth line says 'the noble person has resolution, petty people retreat'—the Okura side is originally upright, just momentarily misled by petty people."
Based on this, Takashima suggested sending Yokoyama Sonichiro to convey a message to the Okura side.
The matter was indeed resolved.
This story, in today's business world, is like a negotiation lesson: Two sides draining each other, burning money daily, neither winning—this isn't competition; it's internal consumption. The solution isn't head-on confrontation but finding a trusted intermediary to untie the knot.
Fourth Nine: The Disappearance Case: The Warmest Hexagram
By now, reading the opening story, you likely know the outcome: the neighbor didn't die; he just went to a friend's house in the east.
But worth detailing is the disciple's complete reasoning in interpreting the hexagram.
The fourth line's text has only eight characters: "Untying the big toe, friends arrive with sincerity." The transforming hexagram is Shi.
What is Shi? Below Kan, above Kun; Kun represents the multitude, the earth. From this, the disciple inferred: the neighbor leaving home wasn't for deep mountains or drowning—he went among people—Kun as multitude, he is "among the people," in someone's home.
Then "untying the big toe." "Toe" is the foot's digit. Father and son are one body; the son is the "foot," the father the "body." The father leaving after giving all property to the son—body separating from foot—this is "untying the toe."
"Friends arrive with sincerity"—friends come to his side, mutual trust.
From these eight characters and one transforming hexagram, the disciple fully reconstructed the event's脉络: a person flees out of fear (danger leads to action), after leaving avoids danger (through action, danger is avoided), leaves everything to his son (untying the toe), goes to a friend and finds peace (friends arrive with sincerity), this person is among people, not in wilderness (transforming to Shi, Kun as multitude).
Later facts proved it entirely true.
Honestly, among all Jie stories, this one moves me most. A person flees in extreme fear, leaving everything to his child, thinking he won't survive—but the hexagram tells you: He is fine. He just needs a friend.
"Friends arrive with sincerity"—what wonderful words. Sometimes when someone is in dire straits, what saves them isn't money, power, or medicine, but just a friend's word.
Fifth Six: Fukuchi's Prison Release: Gongye Chang's Injustice
Takashima's friend Yokoyama Sonichiro—the mediator in the Yokosuka project—visited, saying: "Recently, newspapers reported Fukuchi's imprisonment. This elderly gentleman, in the summer heat, prison suffering is unimaginable."
"Fukuchi's case is said to involve taking money for writing articles, but writing for pay and accepting bribes for personal gain are completely different. Confucius's disciple Gongye Chang was imprisoned, and Confucius specifically said 'not his crime'—I want to find a way for Fukuchi; please divine a hexagram."
The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the fifth line changing, transforming into the Kun hexagram.
Kun itself symbolizes hardship, but the fifth line changing to Kun恰恰 indicates current困境—and Jie governs "release from hardship,"正好呼应.
After reading the line text, Takashima said word by word:
"Obtaining the fifth line, it's Jie's ruling line. The text calls him 'noble person'—this shows the crime is not his; imprisonment doesn't贬低 his character."
"'Only there is resolution'—no need for strenuous rescue; he will naturally be exonerated. 'Sincerity toward petty people'—those who framed him, uneasy in conscience, will voluntarily confess and withdraw."
Takashima then personally met with the Tokyo court prosecutor, explaining this Yijing analysis face-to-face.
Soon, Fukuchi was released.
More interesting is the follow-up: later, a man named Nagai Taijiro was also implicated and detained in a lawsuit; his wife came to ask Takashima for divination—again obtaining the same line. Takashima directly copied the previous judgment for Fukuchi and gave it to her. Nagai was indeed released无罪.
Same困境, same line, same outcome.
The wisdom of the fifth line lies in—it doesn't say "how to overturn the case," but "no need to overturn." The noble person in injustice, resolves without resolving. Your innocence doesn't need you to prove it; time will prove it. Petty people will retreat on their own.
Top Six: The Itō Cabinet: Shooting a Falcon from a High Wall
In Meiji 31 (1898), Takashima divined the fortunes of the Itō cabinet.
The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the top line changing, transforming into the Weiji hexagram.
Takashima's analysis showed a statesman's insight:
"The line text calls him 'duke'—fitting for a cabinet. 'High wall'—the cabinet occupies a high position. 'Falcon'—refers to party leaders. These people, outside positions of power, act arrogantly, often opposing the government, like falcons fierce and predatory."
"The fifth line's ruler orders the duke to climb high and shoot the falcon, and says 'capture' not 'annihilate'—because the falcon is originally useful talent, with past merits, so capture for use, not kill. 'Capturing it, nothing不利.'"
"The 'Great Image' says 'resolve悖逆'—resolve their rebellious hearts, making them submit. The cabinet prime minister, civil and military兼备, quelling internal strife, resisting external threats, exactly matches this hexagram's image."
Takashima presented this judgment to the Itō cabinet.
Later, Itō wanted to recommend Ōkuma and Itagaki, two party leaders, to join the cabinet, asking Takashima if the judgment still applied. Takashima said something妙:
"Holding one falcon, trying to catch another—afraid the one in hand will struggle and fly away. Two falcons together fight and can't tolerate each other."
Indeed, Itō later resigned from the cabinet. The transforming hexagram Weiji本身就 means "affairs未成"—when it's time to resolve, even one's own position must be released.
Top Six: Tone Canal: Shoot One Arrow, Know When to Stop
Yokohama merchant Soda Kin作 came to Takashima, asking about Tone Canal stock trends.
The hexagram obtained was Jie, with the top line changing, again transforming into Weiji.
Takashima said: "Jie is the hexagram of acting to avoid danger. Selling stocks now,正好趁 this rare high price to exit, avoiding future disaster. Like seeing a falcon perched on a high wall—shoot one arrow, take it, leave quickly. If犹豫,拖延到 later loss hexagram stage, only损失 no利益."
Soda followed the advice, selling all at once, indeed profiting.
But later—human nature—after tasting success, he bought back in.
Result: lost.
This story is short but profound: The hexagram tells you 'what to do now,' not giving a permanent pass. You listened this time, profited, but thinking you grasped the pattern, gambled again—that's not the hexagram's issue; it's human nature's.
Knowing when to stop is easy to say, hard to do. Soda Kin作's experience resonates with anyone who has traded stocks.
In Conclusion
Seven stories, seven predicaments, seven kinds of "resolution."
Zheng Yongning wronged—resolution in "no blame," innocence self-proving. Takashima's nasal polyp—resolution in action,果断 seeking treatment. Yokosuka project僵局—resolution in uprightness, finding the right intermediary. The disappearing father—resolution in "friends arrive with sincerity," one friend enough. Fukuchi imprisoned—resolution in resolving without resolving, noble person自有天佑. Itō cabinet—resolution in knowing advance and retreat, letting go when needed. Tone Canal stocks—resolution in knowing when to stop, not fighting one's greed.
What moves me most about Jie isn't the "extrication" part, but the eight words from the "Great Image":
The noble person pardons faults and forgives offenses.
Spring thunder sounds, ice and snow melt,万物复苏. At this time, heaven and earth don't追究 why winter was so cold, why冰冻 lasted so long—it just lets everything start anew.
Cling to old accounts, or 'pardon faults and forgive offenses'?
After Fukuchi's release, those who framed him felt uneasy; Itō shooting falcon says "capture" not "annihilate"—because opponents are also useful talent, to capture for use. This is Jie's格局: After extrication, not清算, but forgiveness; not报复, but reconciliation.
Honestly, this might be the hardest thing among the 64 hexagrams in the Book of Changes.
Have you had that "escape from绝境" experience—thinking no way out, then a turn appears? Or相反, have you困 yourself in a long-ended situation because you couldn't let go of past恩怨?
Share your story in the comments.