We all heard of Bushido, often translated as “The Way of the Warrior”. The moral and ethical code of conduct that guided the samurai class of feudal Japan.
Rooted in a blend of Shinto, Confucian, and Buddhist principles, Bushido was more than just a set of rules for combat; it encompassed a way of life centered around honor, loyalty, courage, and self-discipline. It shaped not only the samurai warriors but also Japan’s broader cultural and social values, continuing to influence modern Japanese society.
Statue of Date Masamune in Aobayama Park, Sendai
The Origins and Development of Bushido
Despite claiming an origin dating back to many centuries, the very first time the Bushido code of conduct was written down was 1899. Written by Nitobe Inazo, the book Bushido: The Soul of Japan interprets the samurai code of behavior, stating how chivalrous men should act in their personal and professional lives.
Nitobe Inazo in 1900
Though some scholars have criticized Nitobe’s work as romanticized yearning for a non-existent age of chivalry, there’s no question that his work builds on extraordinary thousand-year-old precepts that originated in chivalrous behavior on the part of some, though certainly not all, samurai. What today’s readers may find most enlightening about Bushido is the emphasis on compassion, benevolence and rectitude. According to several authors, the origins of Bushido can be traced to the Heian period (794–1185), when Japan’s aristocratic society began to militarize. At this time, the samurai were primarily hired as mercenaries to protect feudal lords, but as their role in society grew, so did the need for a formalized code of conduct. By the Kamakura period (1185–1333), Bushido had started to solidify as a distinct philosophy.
Bushido’s early evolution was influenced by several philosophical traditions, particularly Shinto, which emphasized purity, loyalty, and the worship of ancestors. Confucianism, introduced from China, added a framework of morality, duty, and hierarchical relationships, particularly the emphasis on loyalty to one’s lord. Lastly, Buddhism, especially Zen Buddhism, provided the samurai with a contemplative approach to life and death, teaching them to face mortality with calmness and equanimity. These three traditions interwove to form the foundational values of Bushido.
Samurai practicing Kyudo, traditional Japanese Archery
The Core Principles of Bushido
At the heart of Bushido are seven essential virtues, often referred to as the "Seven Principles of Bushido":
- Righteousness (義 gi). Justice is the most important virtue for the samurai. A true samurai does not attack the enemy without an important reason.
- Loyalty (忠義 chūgi). Loyalty is the 2nd most important thing in life. The samurai should always be loyal to his master. The samurai should also believe his duty to protect his master is the meaning of life.
- Honor (名誉 meiyo). A life without honor is not a life.
- Respect (礼 rei). A samurai should always respect his enemy. A samurai respects his opponent before and after the fight. Even if a samurai kills his opponent, he is very respectful to the corpse.
- Honesty (誠 sei). A samurai never lies. “Deception” does not exists in the book of a samurai.
- Courage (勇 yū). A samurai fights until the end. A samurai is never afraid of anything. He is not afraid of death. A samurai is always brave because he fights for something he believes in.
- Consistency (誠 makoto). A samurai never changes the path. He is like a dragonfly, he always moves forward, he never moves back.
Bushido in Practice: Life and Death
Bushido governed every aspect of a samurai’s life, from how he wielded his sword to how he conducted himself in public and private. Central to the Bushido ethos was the idea that death was not to be feared. Samurai were trained to accept death as an inevitable part of life, and this readiness for death was seen as a way to live fully and with integrity.
The Meiji Restoration and Legacy of Bushido
The Meiji Restoration in the late 19th century brought an end to the samurai class and a significant shift in Japanese society. With the modernization and westernization of Japan, the role of the samurai diminished, and the practice of Bushido, as it had been known for centuries, began to fade.
However, Bushido's influence continued in modern Japan, manifesting in values such as hard work, discipline, and loyalty, which are still prized in both personal and professional spheres. Moreover, Bushido has left its mark on global perceptions of Japan, contributing to the romanticized image of the samurai in popular culture.
Although the era of the samurai has passed, the legacy of Bushido continues to resonate, influencing not only modern Japanese culture but also the broader world through its timeless lessons on honor and virtue.
Bibliography
Nitobe, Inazo. Bushido: The Soul of Japan. Tuttle Publishing, 2012. ISBN: 978-4805310581.
Wilson, William Scott. The Book of Five Rings: A Classic Text on the Japanese Way of the Sword. Shambhala, 2002. ISBN: 978-1590309841.
Bennett, Alexander. Bushido and the Art of Living: An Inquiry into Samurai Values. Japan Library, 2017. ISBN: 978-1891640490.