Unlike today, in the year 1600, an Englishman in Japan, like in FX’ Shogun, was a newsworthy event. Instead of bearing the full force of his news — that, as a Protestant, he had come to wage war on the Portuguese Catholic in the country — however, John Blackthorne is reduced to explaining himself to Lord Yoshii Toranaga of the Kanto region. Alone.
Still, even with his ship seized, his crew captured, and his only means of communication the hope that his translator acts honestly, Blackthorne does have interesting tales to tell. First and foremost, he reveals to the Japanese that their Portuguese visitors have not come in peace as they claim. Their mission may be holy, but their methods surely are not.
Blackthorne informs Toranaga that not only do the Portuguese already have a gunrunning base in Macao, in fact, as per the Treaty of Zaragoza signed between them and Spain 70 years prior, they lay claim to all of Japan — and they fully intend to make it entirely Catholic. Then, he makes his plea: “Your enemy is my enemy. Let’s fight them together!”
But paper, just like the sand Blackthorne drew his map of the world on, is patient, as we say in Germany, and so Toranaga only scoffs. Japan has enough of its own infighting going on. Who has time to worry about some petty conflict between two religions that worship the same god?
“I think you should abandon this war,” Toranaga tells Blackthorne. “You are outnumbered. There is no hope for you.” And even though his translator confers the words accurately, Blackthorne only breaks into the faintest of smiles. He takes a moment. Nods his head. Then raises his eyebrows: “Unless I win.”
Little does John Blackthorne know, he has just handed Toranaga the keys to the kingdom. Many months later, the Catholics and Protestants will still be at odds, the Portuguese will still try to usurp all of Nippon, and John will still be a loner stranded in the country — but the political landscape of feudal Japan will forever have changed, all because John gave Toranaga the right angle for his own long-term masterplan.
Think about it: If you win, anything is possible. This has been the mantra of any violent revolution in history, of course, but it applies just as much to modern-day democratic elections, becoming the most followed account on Instagram in your niche, and many a sports competition. Winners don’t get asked too many questions. Instead, winners get to ask questions.
What if you already knew your next sales pitch would be a complete success? What if your victory was firmly established? How would you close the gap between then and now? Which steps will winning have required? And what are all the unconventional routes you can take?
Many an idea has worked against the odds — but in order for it to do so, first, we had to believe beating the odds was possible. Never underestimate someone with their back against the wall. The next thing you know, they’ll tear down the whole building and extend the field of play. You, too, can be that infinite player.
Your situation may seem bleak, outright hopeless. Everyone might tell you to abandon the effort, and you may even consider the suggestion. But then you remember: Plenty of soccer games, war campaigns, and business competitions are lost causes from the beginning — unless you win. If you win, anything is possible.
