Bushido, the Soul of Japan

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Nitobe, Inazō, 1862-1933.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Bushido, the Soul of Japan" by Inazo Nitobe is a historical account that was likely written in the late 19th century. This work delves into the ethical code and cultural significance of Bushido, the way of the samurai, reflecting on its roots in feudal Japan and its enduring impact on Japanese society. The book explores various virtues inherent to Bushido, such as loyalty, honor, courage, and benevolence, illustrating how these principles shaped the character of the samurai and continue to influence contemporary Japanese values. The opening of "Bushido, the Soul of Japan" sets the stage for a profound exploration of the moral framework that guided the lives of samurai warriors. Inazo Nitobe recounts personal experiences and reflections that led him to understand the essence of Bushido, illustrating its significance in providing moral education beyond formal religious instruction. He emphasizes the organic development of Bushido, rooted in a blend of historical, philosophical, and cultural influences, and introduces key figures and concepts that highlight the virtues of rectitude and loyalty. Through analogies and comparative examples from both Eastern and Western traditions, Nitobe seeks to elucidate the depth of Bushido as a living ethical system that fosters character and moral integrity. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Bushido as an ethical system

Sources of Bushido

Rectitude or justice

Courage, the spirit of daring and bearing

Benevolence, the feeling of distress

Politeness

Veracity or truthfulness

Honor

The duty of loyalty

Education and training of a Samurai

Self-control

The institutions of suicide and redress

The sword, the soul of the Samurai

The training and position of woman

The influence of Bushido

Is Bushido still alive?

The future of Bushido.

Credits:

Paul Murray, Andrea Ball, the Online Distributed Proofreading Team and the Million Book Project/State Central Library, Hyderabad

Notes:

Reading ease score: 55.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido:_The_Soul_of_Japan

Release date is 2004-04-01