Bushido, the Samurai Ethical Norm

Bushido derives from the spirit that samurai around 11th century had in common, but means not Bushi(samurai) but also strength that faces with own heart, and it is the spiritual concept to be given to everybody even women and children. Bushido is based on 7 characters below;



仁(jin): is the heart that understand other's feeling, especially weak people.

義(gi): indicates the only justice, right rule as a human, and the highest virtue of Bushido.

礼(rei): is the modesty that is created by bring up own "仁", and never despises others and respect.

勇(yu): means the brave carrying out one's justice, and indicates also active practice to achieve "義".

誠(makoto): is the honesty to complete something once they decided to do, and lies deception is treated as vices.

忠(chu): is the absolute allegiance to lords but also means to persuade risking their life when lords make errors in their life.

名誉(meiyo): recommend to have a sense of shame, and tell people to pay attention to appearances.


This Bushido was advocated by Inazo Mitobe in his work, The Soul of Japan, and he left the message to Japanese virtue through his own interpretation for Bushido. Whereas, samurai in 15th century realized Bushido in different ways from above concept. in those days, they thought only power raised themselves up from lowest status and did not regard as important. Therefore, Bushido depended on ages and the image you have for samurai may differ from real samurai.

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