Business, Thought, and Management Articles --- Bushido from Now --- "Bushido" of Nitobe Inazo
Nitobe has authored a book in English called "Bushido". "Bushido" of Nitobe is to discuss ideas and code of conduct of the Samurai. This book has been said to be the only book that explains the Bushido and its spirit.
Nitobe has authored a book in English called "Bushido". "Bushido" of Nitobe is to discuss ideas and code of conduct of the Samurai. This book has been said to be the only book that explains the Bushido and its spirit.
"Bushido" will be easy to read and understand for non-Japanese people, by comparing with European thought and history. It is a very impressive book by distinctive writing. Samurai in the book is incorruptible beautifully, ephemeral, and sad.
The beautiful Bushido spirits depicted here were just the interpretation of Nitobe. It is not necessarily the average of the Japanese samurai spirits. There will be also some places to feel discomfort from the viewpoint of Japanese.
Surprising is the tremendous influence that "Bushido" has given to the world. This book has changed the view of Japanese of the world. Many people in the world still use this book to learn Japan.
It is said that the American President Theodore Roosevelt was impressed by the book. The "Bushido" also is said to have changed the outcome of the Russo-Japanese war. It seems the book affected the US policy against Japan after the World War II. The book defended and changed the fate of Japan.
"Bushido" of Nitobe highlighted the Bushido spirits of Japan that was about to be forgotten. Many people of the world see Japan as "Bushido countries" even now.
Bushi and Samurai
Past in Japan, there were people who were the class of Bushi or were called Samurai. Bushi and Samurai are seen as synonymous in many cases. What people do Bushi or Samurai refer to?
Fighting between Genpei and Morale of Soldiers
Why Heike who had huge power at that moment has been destroyed by Genji? When looking at the battle of Genpei (Genji vs Heike) there would be a big difference in the morale and the emotional connection of soldiers and leaders.
The Age of Civil Wars and Warlords
Bushido spirit did not occur from the teachings of a single person. It has been made and aged from reputation and legend of various actions of a number of Samurai, especially warlords without words.
Change of Bushido Spirit
Samurai have been playing very active part in wartime. However, samurai became unnecessary if there is no war. They are just so-called good-for-nothing. When the peaceful era continues Samurai have no turn, the Samurai spirit can become obsolete easily.
"Bushido" of Nitobe Inazo
Nitobe has authored a book in English called "Bushido". "Bushido" of Nitobe is to discuss ideas and code of conduct of the Samurai. This book has been said to be the only book that explains the Bushido and its spirit.
Living Way to Lose
Bushido life might be a living way to lose. Samurai pledges absolute allegiance to the lord and in some cases throws out his own life as well. Even if he is poor, he values honor and never praises anyone.
Disposable Existence
Samurai is an existence to abandon himself and fight to defend the country. He pledges absolute loyalty to the lord, and fights against the enemy with full power if it becomes war. He is practicing every day to prepare to fight, and is ready to devote his life by spiritual training as well.
Lack of Clarity and Logicality
Bushido is a mindset and preparedness of a samurai who is a fighter. It is to live and to die by unique aesthetic sense. Bushido teachings do not show reasons, but only the code of conduct is often shown.
Samurai who are Disadvantaged by the Lord
Samurai who are bravely daring to be dead anytime with high loyalties accumulating daily physical and spiritual training, are not necessarily blessed with good lord. Rather, there are a lot of samurai who are disadvantaged by the lord.
Abused Seppuku
There is a proverb says, "a samurai's word is sacred." This means a samurai who respects honor and hates the treachery never goes back on his word. And he will always execute what he said. If he cannot execute what he said, he will take responsibility. That is Seppuku.
Samurai Does not Talk about Dignity
Samurai must be a samurai. They should refrain from embarrassing words and acts as samurai. Samurai must constantly refine themselves and raise their dignity so that they will not be mocked from the surroundings.
Mass Consumption and Obesity
It is said that now is the era of mass consumption. The world overflows with things, a tremendous number of products are on the market. It is said to be an age of satiation, and many people have become overweight with lack of exercise and overeating.
A Coward Lion at Home
Those who domineer at home but are weak when going out are called, "a lion at home and a mouse abroad." To be "a lion at home" is not only far from the spirit of Bushido, is something that can not be respected much as a human being.
Parenthood Affection and Bonds
In order to reward the day-to-day grace to the lord Samurai throw out his life and fight in case of emergency. How to achieve meaningful death, might be the one of the important goals of samurai.
Light and Shadow
From a word samurai, you might imagine bold, handsome and brilliant braves. Surely a samurai who plays an active part in a battle field will look brilliant. The battlefield is exactly a sunny setting for the samurai.
To Live
Bushido is not only to die but also to live. Life is all important and precious. Therefore it is not good to waste any life. Bushido spirit thoroughly hates useless, meaningless death.
Physical and Spiritual Training
There are the Word "rash courage" that contrast well with Bushido. Rash courage is a person's heart that does not think and just violently rampage and assault. The person may look bold, but actually he/she is just not thinking.
Children Grow up Looking at the Back of Parents
Children grow up looking at the back of their parents. To educate and nurture children, parents themselves should first show their example. If parents are training physically and spiritually, and continuing temperance, children will also learn what parents do with nature.
Respect the God and Buddha
Samurai respects the God and Buddha. In fact, many people die on the battlefield. If you are a soldier, you may kill people or you may be killed in a war. Human life is a fleeting one. So samurai needs to cherish the life.
Being Ronin is Also a Life
Various events occur in life. There are times when it is going up, but there are times when it falls like rolling down the slope. Sometimes we lose sight of the way to go and forced a Ronin's life without knowing what to do.
