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Bushido Code

The Bushido code was an ethical concept that governed the behavior and lifestyle of Japanese samurai warriors. It emphasized virtues like courage, loyalty, honor, respect, honesty, mercy, and justice. The code developed during periods of civil war in Japanese history from the 13th to 16th centuries and was documented in various literary works of the time that extolled the virtues of brave and loyal warriors.

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22 views

Bushido Code

The Bushido code was an ethical concept that governed the behavior and lifestyle of Japanese samurai warriors. It emphasized virtues like courage, loyalty, honor, respect, honesty, mercy, and justice. The code developed during periods of civil war in Japanese history from the 13th to 16th centuries and was documented in various literary works of the time that extolled the virtues of brave and loyal warriors.

Uploaded by

zoro
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Bushido Code

The Samurai

A group of samurai warriors. (Courtesy: Getty Images)

● Samurai are warriors from the Japanese caste. Originating from the term "bushi," which
meant "aristocratic warriors," the name "samurai" eventually came to refer to all those who
belonged to the warrior class that became powerful in the 12th century and ruled Japan until
the Meiji Restoration in 1868. The name "samurai" comes from the Japanese word "saburau,"
which means "one/those who serve".
● Originally, the samurai were a caste of warriors. Because of this, the emphasis on behavior
was first limited to bravery on the battlefield and physical prowess. Kyuba-no-Michi, or the
Way of the Horse and Bow, was the rule of conduct followed by samurai who specialized in
mounted archery. It emphasized courage and skill.

What is Bushido?

A public ritual suicide or seppuku. (Courtesy: Getty Images)

● Bushido was not a religious belief system; rather, it was an ethical concept. In fact, a lot of
samurai thought that since they were taught to battle and murder in this life, they were exempt
from any rewards in life after death or in future subsequent reincarnations, according to
Buddhist doctrine. Still, they had to be sustained by their honor and commitment, even though
they knew they would probably die and go to the Buddhist inferno.

History of Bushido

Recruits trained by samurai for the Satsuma Rebellion. (Courtesy: Getty Images)

● Men in the military were penning works about the application and refinement of the sword
beginning as early as the eighth century. They also established the ideal profile of the brave,
intelligent, and devoted warrior-poet.
● Japanese literature during the middle ages, from the 13th to the 16th century, extolled the
virtues of daring bravery, fervent loyalty to one's lord and family, and intellectual
development for soldiers. The majority of writings on what would come to be known as
bushido dealt with the massive civil war, known as the Genpei War, which took place
between the Taira and Minamoto clans between 1180 and 1185 and laid the groundwork for
shogunate power throughout the Kamakura Period.

Virtues of Bushido

Bushido's seven rules are displayed in the Samurai & Ninja Museum in Kyoto. (Courtesy:
Maikoya)

● Mercy (Jin): Samurai were fighters with the ability to control life and death. It was expected
of them to use this authority sensibly. Stated differently, their intent was murdering only for
justifiable purposes. Naturally, different people had different interpretations of what that
meant.
● Honesty (Makoto): Samurai were expected under the bushido code to be completely truthful
in both their words and deeds. They were expected to fulfill any commitments they made,
both on time and exactly as written.
● Loyalty (Chuugi): As previously stated, this code of conduct was characterized by putting the
daimyo's interests ahead of one's own. When the daimyo they had promised to serve died,
some samurai had a reputation for performing seppuku rather than becoming ronin.
● Honor (Meiyo): A samurai's actions and words had an impact on their reputation, which in
turn affected the daimyo's. It was not enough to just be a good and reliable servant; one had to
be seen and acknowledged as such. This meant maintaining one's look to the highest standard,
even when it was not anticipated that the sword would be drawn.
● Courage (Yu): The Way of the Warrior required unwavering bravery, not only in the face of
an opponent on the field of battle but also in making challenging choices and acting morally
in daily interactions.
● Respect (Rei): One of the fundamental concepts of the Warrior's Code was to treat everyone
with respect, regardless of their social standing. The emphasis on polite relationships is one of
the characteristics that set contemporary Japanese culture apart.
● Justice (Gi): A fundamental principle of the Samurai is justice. To live by the Bushido ideal
of justice, you must consider what is just and preserve the importance of moral integrity.

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