In 1858, he was given a fan on which written a song about how to find purpose in life, saying 'To Yamada' 'Don't be afraid to be different from others if you resolve something, Don't follow the public view, Don't think about the suffering after death, Learn that pleasure is fleeting, 100years is only a moment, Please don't waste your time.' by Shoin YOSHIDA.
安政5年（1858年）、、吉田松陰から「与山田生」（詩）「立志尚特異俗流與議難不思身後業且偸目前安百年一瞬耳君子勿素餐」と立志の目標が書かれた扇面を与えられる。