What’s the difference between a ninja and a samurai?

Recently, I have interpreted into English for the staff of Japan Steel Works on a major industrial investment. Harawaki San is a 34 years old, raven-haired chubby engineer with a smiling face, blessed with a good sense of humor. He was never intimidated by technical problems and the Japanese pursuit of perfection characterized him. Kawashima San, his colleague, is a commissioning engineer, with a face exuding a Buddha-like serenity and composure.

One day after lunch, as a joke, I called Harawaki San a Great Japanese Samurai. He politely deflected and said that he is not the samurai, but Kawashima San is, he is a ninja. “What’s the difference between a ninja and a samurai?”-, I asked. “Ninja - night shift, samurai - day shift...” he replied.

The project is over, but I always think back to my Japanese colleagues fondly. Since then, I have gained a lot of experience working with the people at Japan Steel Works. Working with them has given me the opportunity to learn about the values of Japanese culture and work ethic, and to experience their striving for perfection. Harawaki San, always cheerful and good-humored, never lost his cool even in the face of the most complex technical problems. And Kawashima San radiated a calm and serenity that was a constant inspiration to me. Both were great colleagues who did their job with diligence and humility.

Harawaki San, always cheerful and good-humored, never lost his cool even in the face of the most complex technical problems. And Kawashima San radiated a calm and serenity that was a constant inspiration to me. Both were great colleagues who did their job with diligence and humility.

Although the time spent with my Japanese colleagues is now a thing of the past, their memories will always stay with me. The friendships and experiences that I developed while working with them have become an integral part of my life. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this project and to have met the great team at Japan Steel Works.

Benedek Lipták
Managing director
Qualified interpreter and translator